The Grizzlies (6-1) have been a pleasant surprise this season, surging towards the top of the Western Conference. Now, Memphis will get a chance to bolster its record at home against the Pacers (2-6). Indiana, despite being shorthanded, has enough depth to stay afloat while Tyrese Haliburton recovers from a hamstring injury. Which side has the edge going into tonight’s inter-conference showdown?
The Grizzlies enter today’s matchup as 6.5-point favorites, with the total set at 228.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Wednesday’s Indiana vs. Memphis contest.
Pacers vs. Grizzlies prediction, preview
It’s no secret that Indiana is hobbled at the moment. It’s not just Haliburton, although the former All-Star’s absence is the most important. Role players T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and Ben Sheppard (knee). As of Wednesday afternoon, Ivica Zubac (knee), Kelly Oubre (knee) and Obi Toppin (back) are listed as questionable.
That’s quite a bit of uncertainty for a club that has won just two of its first eight contests. Off the heels of a dismal 2025-26 season, the Pacers need to start stacking wins sooner rather than later. Fortunately, there’s enough talent across this roster to remain competitive. It all starts with Pascal Siakam, one of the NBA’s top power forwards. Through seven games, the Cameroonian is averaging 21.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 50% from the field. Guard Andrew Nembhard is also putting together a stellar campaign. The Canadian has accounted for 18.5 points per game on 45/42/89 shooting splits.
Despite those impressive individual statistics, it hasn’t been enough for the Pacers. They’re 20th in offensive rating (111.0) and 19th in defensive rating (114.9). That’s a surefire way to end up bottoming out as a mediocre club. Indiana still operates with speed, ranking tenth in pace (100.6). However, that doesn’t mean much when you’re struggling to hit shots. The Pacers are connecting on 32.9% of their three-point attempts so far, eighth-worst in the association.
To call this an unexpected start for the Grizzlies would be putting it mildly. It’s only been seven games, but last season’s 25-win squad now sits near the top of the Western Conference. Negative regression is inevitable, but an appearance in the play-in at the very least? It’s a reasonable expectation following two weeks of excellent play.
Record aside, the most promising aspect of Memphis’ season is the young talent. Third overall pick Cameron Boozer has been as advertised, averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Complimentary pieces such as Cedric Coward, Isaiah Stewart and Jaylen Wells are all making an impact as well. However, the headliner for this group has to be Ty Jerome. Plagued by injuries last season, the sharpshooter has been phenomenal to start the year. He’s currently averaging a team-leading 28.2 points per game, knocking down over 42% of his three-point attempts to boot.
The Grizzlies rank third in offensive rating (121.4) and fifth in defensive rating (108.7) this season. That level of excellence on both sides of the ball offers little reprieve for opponents. With that being said, the level of competition hasn’t been particularly daunting so far. Two games each against the Jazz and Kings have helped buoy Memphis’ outstanding record. An overtime loss vs. lackluster New Orleans on Monday wasn’t very encouraging either.
Best Bet: Pacers +6.5 (-106)
Memphis deserves to be favored coming into tonight’s contest. However, anything close to a double-digit victory feels like wishful thinking. The Pacers, even in their current hobbled state, tend to hang around against superior opponents. The team has lost four of its last five games by eight points or less. Keep in mind, a majority of those matchups came without Haliburton on the court. The visitors should prevent things from getting out of hand on Wednesday.
