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- What: NBA Regular Season Game
- When: February 20, 2025
- Who: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Indiana Pacers
- Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
The Memphis Grizzlies will visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday evening to play the Indiana Pacers. This game will be the first for both teams after the All-Star break.
Memphis is enjoying a strong stretch as it approaches the end of the regular season, currently boasting a solid 36-18 record. However, it suffered a setback in its last outing before the break, losing 128-114 to the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
In that game, with Ja Morant sidelined due to a knee issue and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Desmond Bane shined by scoring 16 of his 23 points in the opening quarter.
Morant is anticipated to return for the Grizzlies in this contest against the Pacers after missing last week’s game. Should he be unable to play, Jaylen Wells is likely to see increased playing time. Wells has been averaging 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while playing around 24.2 minutes per game.
With Ja Morant sidelined due to a knee issue previously, Desmond Bane shone in the backcourt with a strong 16-point performance in the first quarter, although his scoring dipped later on.
Bane has stepped up, scoring 20 or more points in five straight games. With Morant back, he still has a chance to have a significant impact.
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Game Preview (Grizzlies vs. Pacers)
Indiana is playing strong basketball as they approach the final stretch of the season, currently holding a 30-23 record and sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
| Spread |  |  |  |
| Memphis Grizzlies -2.5 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Indiana Pacers +2.5 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 |
In their last game before the All-Star break, they executed a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 19-point deficit to secure a 134-130 victory against the Washington Wizards.
Bennedict Mathurin led the charge with 28 points, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 20. Indiana dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Washington 36-23, including 11 points from Mathurin.
This marked Haliburton’s first game in February where he scored at least 20 points. Although he wasn’t particularly efficient with 18 shot attempts, he did hit four 3-pointers for the second time in three games. Haliburton also recorded seven assists and managed only two turnovers.
four at home after the break 👀
🎟️ https://t.co/qF0kETtudX pic.twitter.com/fbOD00jqIN
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 19, 2025
In January, Indiana found success with a 10-2 record and has gone 4-3 thus far in February. Myles Turner is expected to return after missing three consecutive games due to a cervical strain.
Coach Rick Carlisle noted on Tuesday that Turner should be ready for Thursday’s matchup against the Grizzlies, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
I would take the Pacers to cover the spread at home in this one.
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Total Points
A crucial matchup to watch is between Pascal Siakam and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the paint.
| Total Points | | | |
| Over 249 | -110 | -110 | -115 |
| Under 249 | -110 | -110 | -105 |
Siakam, who made his third All-Star appearance and started this time, has been impressive lately, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 steals over his last five regular-season games, all while playing nearly 35 minutes per game.
However, Memphis has a strong presence in the paint, ranked second in the league for points scored down low, which gives them a notable advantage with Jackson. They’ve also been explosive at the start of games, leading the NBA in first-quarter scoring. I’m leaning towards taking the Grizzlies in this matchup.
🐻✈️ https://t.co/lFTt6shqzv pic.twitter.com/av4WwsptGu
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 20, 2025
Memphis is the fastest-paced team in the league, and Indiana is among the top 10, suggesting this game could be a high-scoring affair. Indiana struggles defensively, allowing over 50 points per game in the paint, ranking them 27th in the league.
Additionally, opponents are hitting over 36% of their three-point attempts against them. I would confidently take the over in this game.
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