Pacers Vs Grizzlies

The Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies are set to continue their preparations for the 2024-25 NBA season when they meet in a pre-season showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday. Both teams are deep into their pre-season schedules, using these exhibition games as crucial opportunities to fine-tune their squads, address weaknesses, and build momentum heading into the regular season.

This upcoming matchup will be the second meeting of the year between the Pacers and Grizzlies, with their previous clash in January resulting in a 116-110 win for Indiana. That contest, which took place in Indianapolis, saw the Pacers secure a relatively comfortable victory, largely controlling the game from start to finish. As both teams look to further sharpen their performances, Tuesday’s encounter offers another chance to gauge their progress ahead of the season's tip-off.

Indiana Pacers' Pre-season Journey

The Indiana Pacers are coming off their first pre-season win, having defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-117 last Friday at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. While the final scoreline suggests a dominant performance, the game was far from straightforward, especially in the first half. The Pacers struggled defensively, allowing Cleveland to score an alarming 70 points in the first two quarters. Despite this, Indiana was able to keep pace and went into halftime down by only a single point.

After the break, Indiana’s defense tightened up considerably, particularly in the third quarter when they outscored the Cavaliers by 14 points. This pivotal period allowed them to turn the tide of the game, securing a 12-point win by the final whistle. Four players scored in double figures for Indiana, but it was Bennedict Mathurin who stole the show. Mathurin was nothing short of brilliant, posting 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including five three-pointers from eight attempts. His sharpshooting helped the Pacers overcome their earlier defensive lapses and regain control of the game.

This victory was a welcome relief for Indiana, especially after the disappointment of their opening pre-season game. Just days earlier, they had lost a heartbreaker to the Atlanta Hawks, falling 131-130 at the State Farm Arena. Despite holding a three-point lead with just seven seconds remaining, Indiana was unable to close out the win. A buzzer-beating three-pointer from Atlanta’s Seth Lundy turned the Pacers' slim lead into a stunning defeat, leaving head coach Rick Carlisle to rue the missed opportunity.

Carlisle has consistently emphasized the need for improvement in his team’s backcourt defense, an area that has been exposed multiple times already during the pre-season. This weakness was evident again in the game against Cleveland, despite the absence of several key Cavaliers players, including All-Stars Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, as well as standout forward Evan Mobley. Despite Cleveland’s depleted lineup, Indiana struggled to contain their offense early on, a worrying sign as they prepare for the start of the regular season.

Now, with a win under their belts, the Pacers will aim to carry that momentum forward. Tuesday's game against Memphis will be their second-to-last pre-season contest before they conclude their exhibition schedule at home. Following that, Indiana will turn their attention to their regular season opener, which takes place on October 14 against the Detroit Pistons on the road.

Memphis Grizzlies' Pre-season Performance

The Memphis Grizzlies have also had a busy pre-season, and they come into Tuesday's game on the back of a thrilling comeback victory. On Sunday, they faced off against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center and overcame a daunting 21-point deficit to emerge with a 124-121 win. It was a dramatic contest that came down to the final moments, with the Grizzlies outlasting the Bulls in a frenetic finish.

Chicago had taken a one-point lead late in the game, thanks to a clutch three-pointer from Talen Horton-Tucker with under a minute remaining on the clock. However, Memphis responded swiftly, with back-to-back three-pointers of their own. One of these crucial shots came from rookie Jaylen Wells, who drained a well-contested triple with just 9.5 seconds left to secure the victory for the Grizzlies.

Despite missing several key players, including superstar guard Ja Morant, defensive stalwart Jaren Jackson Jr., and veteran Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies found contributions from multiple players. Six Memphis players scored in double figures, led by Wells, who had a standout game. The rookie scored 24 points on 50% shooting, dished out six assists, and grabbed two rebounds in an impressive all-around performance. His contribution was vital in Memphis’s late-game rally, and his composure in crunch time belied his inexperience.

Another young player who impressed for the Grizzlies was highly-touted rookie Zach Edey. The ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Edey showed flashes of his immense potential, particularly on the offensive end. He scored 15 points, shooting 50% from the field, and made his presence felt on the defensive end as well, recording three blocked shots. Edey’s ability to contribute on both ends of the court will be crucial for Memphis as they look to build a team capable of competing in the Western Conference.

Memphis’s win against Chicago improved their pre-season record to 2-1, following an opening 121-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Their only loss so far came at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets last Friday, a game in which the Grizzlies were thoroughly outplayed and fell 119-94 at home. Despite the mixed results, head coach Taylor Jenkins will likely be encouraged by the resilience his team showed in their comeback win over the Bulls.

The Grizzlies still have two more pre-season games remaining, including Tuesday's matchup with Indiana. After that, they will face off against the Miami Heat in their final pre-season contest, which will also be their last home game before the start of the regular season. Memphis opens their regular season campaign on October 24 with a road game against the Utah Jazz, a tough test for a team with playoff aspirations.

Key Players to Watch

For the Indiana Pacers, all eyes will be on Bennedict Mathurin, who has been in electric form so far this pre-season. His 25-point performance against Cleveland highlighted his ability to score in bunches, particularly from beyond the arc. Mathurin’s development will be critical for Indiana, as they look to build a team around young stars like him and Tyrese Haliburton. Mathurin's shooting and playmaking ability will be crucial as the Pacers look to establish themselves as a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ star point guard, is another key player to watch. Although Haliburton has not yet fully hit his stride during the pre-season, his playmaking ability is unmatched. He is the engine that drives Indiana's offense, and his ability to facilitate and score makes him one of the most dangerous guards in the league. Haliburton’s performance on Tuesday will be a key factor in determining how Indiana fares against Memphis.

On the Memphis side, rookie Jaylen Wells has quickly made a name for himself with his clutch shooting and versatile offensive game. His confidence in taking big shots, even in high-pressure moments, has been a revelation for the Grizzlies. As Memphis looks to navigate the early part of the season without Ja Morant, Wells’s ability to score from the perimeter and facilitate the offense could be crucial.

Zach Edey is another player who will draw significant attention. The towering rookie has the physical tools to become a dominant force in the NBA, and his ability to impact both ends of the floor has already been evident in his limited pre-season minutes. Edey’s size and shot-blocking ability give Memphis a formidable presence in the paint, and his continued development will be key for the Grizzlies as they aim to make a deep postseason run.

Expectations for the Regular Season

Both the Pacers and Grizzlies enter the 2024-25 season with high hopes, but each team faces different challenges. For Indiana, the focus is on building a young core capable of competing in a loaded Eastern Conference. With players like Mathurin and Haliburton leading the charge, the Pacers are hoping to make significant strides this season and push for a playoff spot. However, they will need to address their defensive issues if they hope to compete with the elite teams in the league.

Memphis, on the other hand, enters the season with more established expectations. After making the playoffs last season, the Grizzlies are looking to take the next step and establish themselves as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. With Ja Morant set to miss the early part of the season due to suspension, Memphis will need its young players to step up and carry the load until their star point guard returns. The development of players like Wells and Edey will be critical in determining how successful Memphis can be this season.

As both teams gear up for the regular season, Tuesday's pre-season matchup offers an exciting glimpse into their potential. Whether it's Indiana’s young core or Memphis’s impressive rookies, the game promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams with their eyes set on the future.