The Indiana Pacers (0-1) embark on a three-game road trip starting tonight, October 25, as they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies (1-1), who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing blowout loss to the Miami Heat last Friday night.
The game is set to tip-off at 8 p.m. ET at FedEx Forum in Memphis. Fans can catch the action on FanDuel-Indiana with Chris Denari providing play-by-play commentary, Quinn Buckner offering analysis, and Jeremiah Johnson reporting from the sidelines. For radio listeners in Indianapolis, the game will air on 93.5 and 107.5 FM, featuring Mark Boyle on play-by-play and Eddie Gill on analysis.
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, the Grizzlies are slightly favored to win with a 54.9% chance. However, expert Dustin Dopirak from IndyStar predicts a tight contest, projecting the Pacers to narrowly defeat the Grizzlies 110-103. He highlights the struggles the Pacers have faced without star player Tyrese Haliburton and other key injuries that have forced the team to improvise during games. In their season opener, the Pacers nearly came away with a win in double overtime, showcasing their resilience.
In terms of injuries, the Pacers will once again be without Andrew Nembhard, who is sidelined with a shoulder strain, as well as T.J. McConnell, Quenton Jackson, and Kam Jones due to various issues. This situation puts a greater burden on players like Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin, who are expected to lead the charge in this match.
On the Grizzlies’ side, they too will be missing several players, including Vince Williams Jr. (heel), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), Brandon Clark (knee), and Zach Edey (ankle).
Looking ahead, the Pacers have a challenging schedule lined up with games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 26 and the Dallas Mavericks on October 29.
The Pacers’ journey this season holds promising potential, especially as players step up amid adversity. Their determination and adaptability could pave the way for unexpected successes as the season unfolds.