Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (local Pacers), Bally Sports Southeast / local Memphis feeds (Grizzlies territory), NBA League Pass (national/out-of-market)
Radio: 1070 The Fan (Pacers) / 92.9 FM / SiriusXM (Grizzlies)
Team Context
The visiting Grizzlies sit 11th in the Western Conference (Southwest Division), mathematically alive for the play-in but realistically lottery-bound with a .379 winning percentage. Memphis has dealt with major injury attrition all season but still boasts more talent and better underlying metrics than most bottom-feeders.
The host Pacers are 15th in the Eastern Conference (dead last in the East), firmly in tank mode at .250 with the league’s second-worst record. Indiana is prioritizing development for its young core and draft positioning in what has been a lost season plagued by star injuries.
Recent Team Forms
Grizzlies (3-7 in last 10, 30% win rate; W1): Memphis snapped a skid with a solid home win over Dallas (124-105 on Feb. 27) but remains inconsistent. They average 115.6 PPG (16th) while allowing 117.9 (22nd). Road play has been tough (10-18), but they have shown fight in recent games when key rotation pieces are available.
Pacers (2-8 in last 10, 20% win rate; L5): Indiana is on a five-game losing streak, including blowout home losses to Charlotte (109-133 on Feb. 26) and Philadelphia. Offense has cratered to 111.5 PPG (28th) and defense is leaky (119.5 allowed, 25th). Home record is 10-21, and the team is 1-4 ATS in its last five.
Injury Report
Memphis Grizzlies:
- PG Ja Morant (left elbow UCL sprain) — Day-to-Day / Questionable
- PF Santi Aldama (right knee injury management) — Day-to-Day
- PF Brandon Clarke (right calf strain) — Day-to-Day / Out
- SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger surgery) — Day-to-Day
- PG Ty Jerome (left thigh contusion) — Day-to-Day
- C Zach Edey (left ankle) — Out (expected return ~March 12)
- SF Cedric Coward (right knee soreness) — Day-to-Day
Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane (assuming available unless newly listed), and core depth expected to play.
Indiana Pacers:
- PG Tyrese Haliburton (torn right Achilles) — Out (long-term)
- PF Pascal Siakam (left wrist sprain) — Day-to-Day / Questionable
- C Ivica Zubac (ankle) — Out
- SG/SF Aaron Nesmith (right ankle sprain) — Out / Questionable
- SF Johnny Furphy (torn right ACL) — Out (season)
Obi Toppin (foot) listed probable in recent windows; heavy reliance on Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, and young pieces.
Series History
Grizzlies lead the 2025-26 season series 1-0 after a dominant 128-103 home win on Oct. 25, 2025.
Historically, Memphis is 7-3 SU in the last 10 meetings overall and 8-2 ATS. Games have averaged ~235 combined points, with Memphis covering comfortably in most recent encounters when healthy.
Projected Lineups & Player Matchups
Memphis Grizzlies (Interim Coach rotation under Taylor Jenkins influence)
Starters (projected, pending injury updates)
PG — Scottie Pippen Jr. / Ty Jerome (if active)
SG — Desmond Bane / Jaylen Wells
SF — Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF — Santi Aldama (if active) / Cedric Coward
C — Brandon Clarke (if active) / depth Key Bench: Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson, etc. Key Matchups:
- Jackson Jr. vs. Pacers frontcourt (Walker / Toppin) — JJJ’s length, shot-blocking, and stretch-4 ability should dominate a depleted Indiana interior.
- Bane / Wells perimeter vs. Nembhard / Sheppard — Grizzlies wings can exploit Pacers’ shaky perimeter defense and lack of Haliburton creation.
- Pace and transition — Memphis wants to push; Indiana struggles in transition without its stars.
Indiana Pacers (Coach: Rick Carlisle)
Starters (projected)
PG Andrew Nembhard
SG Ben Sheppard
SF (Nesmith out; rotation: Kobe Brown / depth)
PF Obi Toppin (if active) / Jarace Walker
C (Zubac out; James Wiseman / depth) Key Bench: T.J. McConnell, young prospects, Quenton Jackson, etc.
Key Matchups:
- Nembhard vs. Memphis backcourt pressure — Indiana’s primary creator faces length and physicality.
- Toppin / Walker vs. Jackson Jr. — Rebounding and athleticism battle; Pacers need second-chance points.
- Youth development vs. veteran execution — Pacers will lean on hustle, but Grizzlies’ size edges most matchups.
Betting Trends
- Grizzlies are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
- OVER has hit in 4 of Memphis’ last 5 vs. Indiana.
- Pacers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 overall and 1-4 ATS in last 5.
- Memphis is 25-32 ATS season-long but covers well against weaker Eastern teams.
- Both teams rank bottom-10 in defensive efficiency lately; games trend higher-scoring when injuries
Game Odds
Memphis Grizzlies – 1.5
Indiana Pacers 238.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 28, 2026
