Game Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies enter Sunday's matchup riding a five-game winning streak and sporting an impressive 13-7 record on the season. Their high-powered offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging nearly 121 points per game while shooting a blistering 48.8% from the field. The Grizzlies have been even more dominant over their last 10 games, winning 7 of those contests behind an uptick in scoring to 122.3 points per game.
Fueling Memphis' offensive surge has been their prolific outside shooting, with the team hovering around 35% from three-point range. They've also taken care of business on the glass, grabbing just under 49 rebounds per game to control the boards. The Grizzlies' balanced attack is reflected in their 30.4 assists per game, showcasing their willingness to share the ball and find the open man.
Over their recent 5-game winning streak, the Grizzlies have kicked their production into an even higher gear. Their scoring has spiked to 126.6 points per game as they've locked down defensively, holding opponents to just 112 points on average. Memphis' shooting percentages have soared, with the team burying 51.7% of their field goals and knocking down nearly 40% of their three-point attempts.
While the Indiana Pacers come in with a sub-.500 record at 9-11, they've shown signs of rounding into form lately with a 3-2 mark over their last five games. However, the Pacers have struggled to find consistency on offense, averaging just 114.4 points per game for the season while shooting a modest 48.6% from the floor. Their outside shooting has been a particular weakness, with Indiana hitting just 36.9% of their three-point attempts.
The Pacers will need to lean heavily on their defense to keep this one close, as they've allowed 118.1 points per game to opponents. While Indiana has done a solid job protecting the ball with just under 14 turnovers per contest, they've been outrebounded by nearly 8 boards per game, giving up far too many second-chance opportunities. With the Grizzlies playing at an elite level on both ends, the Pacers will need to bring their A-game to pull off the upset in Memphis.