NBA Game Preview: New Orleans Pelicans (0-0) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (0-0)

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Venue & Tipoff

Arena: FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103

Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT

Broadcast: ESPN, FDSSE, Pelicans+, Gulf Coast Sports

Injury Report

Memphis Grizzlies:

Ja Morant (ankle) – Expected to play

Jaren Jackson Jr. (toe) – Out

Zach Edey (ankle) – Out

Brandon Clarke (knee) – Out

Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe surgery) – Out

Ty Jerome (calf) – Day-to-day

New Orleans Pelicans:

Dejounte Murray (Achilles) – Out

Kevon Looney (knee) – Out

Karlo Matkovic (back spasms) – Doubtful

Player Matchups

Ja Morant vs. Jordan Poole – Morant’s return brings elite rim pressure against Poole’s perimeter scoring.

Zion Williamson vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. (out) – With Jackson sidelined, Memphis must rely on Jock Landale and Santi Aldama to contain Zion.

Herbert Jones vs. Desmond Bane – Defensive stopper vs. sharpshooter; key swing matchup.

Trey Murphy III vs. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Floor spacing duel on the wing.

Team Records & Recent Form (2024–25)

Memphis Grizzlies: 48–34 overall, 26–15 at home. Averaged 121.7 PPG (2nd in NBA), allowed 116.9 PPG (24th).

New Orleans Pelicans: 21–61 overall, 13–38 in West play. Averaged 109.8 PPG (25th), allowed 119.3 PPG (26th).

Series History

2024–25 season: Memphis won 3 of 4 matchups, outscoring New Orleans 498–463.

Grizzlies have won 6 of last 8 meetings.

Pelicans’ last series win: March 2023.

Betting Trends:

Grizzlies 41–41 ATS last season; 47 Overs.

Pelicans 33–47–2 ATS; 45 Overs.

Combined scoring last season: 231.5 PPG, slightly below current total.

Game Odds

New Orleans Pelicans                    237.5

Memphis Grizzlies                          – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 21, 2025

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NBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated NBA analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player development pipelines, and organizational dynamics. This columnist delivers in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams and stars shape the modern game. Background: With extensive experience covering professional basketball, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching philosophy, and league‑wide trends. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and breaking down the nuances of an 82‑game season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and analytically driven readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NBA’s fast‑moving, star‑driven landscape.