Grizzlies Look to Outpace the Pacers

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Carmen Patton

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In their first game after the All Star Break, the Memphis Grizzlies are in Indiana tonight to face the Pacers for the first time this season. The Grizzlies are coming off of a tough loss in front of the home crowd to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pacers are on a six game losing streak. The Grizzlies (34-24) and the Pacers (29-28) currently both hold the sixth seed in their respective conferences.

Despite the trade talk that loomed regarding Paul George, he will be a part of this match-up. The Grizzlies and the Pacers each made it through the trade deadline with no changes. The Grizzlies haven’t lost to the Pacers since November 2013. The Grizz are 16-13 on the road, while the Pacers are 20-10 at home. Here’s how they look head to head for tonight.

Head to Head

Average Points per Game: Grizzlies, 100.8; Pacers, 105.5

Points Allowed: Grizzlies, 99.5; Pacers, 106.4

Average Bench Points: Grizzlies, 38.2; Pacers, 33.9

Field Goal %: Grizzlies, 43 percent; Pacers, 47 percent

Three Point Field Goal %: Grizzlies, 35 percent; Pacers, 37 percent

Rebounds: Grizzlies, 43.4; Pacers, 41.2

Turnovers: Grizzlies, 13.1; Pacers, 13.8

Injuries: Grizzlies, NONE (yes, all caps); Pacers, Thaddeus Young and Lavoy Allen, both questionable

**Note: Brandan Wright will not play for the Grizz tonight due to personal reasons.**

Points to Consider

The Grizzlies have only 24 games left in this season. They’re in a close race with the Oklahoma City Thunder (7th), Utah Jazz (5th) and Los Angeles Clippers (4th) for the 4th-7th seed in the Western Conference.

There are exactly 12 more home games and 12 more away games including tonight.

They are 8 wins away from securing a winning season for the 7th straight season. Yes, even the season from hell (2015-2016) was a winning season (42-40).

They are 16 wins away from securing a 50 win season. That would be a nice notch in the belt for our first year head coach.

They are 8 games ahead of the 8th spot in the Western Conference, and everyone is healthy (you just can’t say that enough).

They’ll likely finish the season in the 3rd spot of the Southwest Division since they’re 6 games behind the Rockets and 10.5 games ahead of the Pelicans.

They’ve signed veteran guard Toney Douglas to push them through the remainder of the season as the back-up point guard. The tough veteran presence he brings should prove valuable through this 24 game push. The Grizzlies are looking to continue to build chemistry and grow through these last 24 games of the season as they prepare to make that playoff run.

Tonight will be the first of the 12 road games left in this season, and both teams are looking to win. The Pacers haven’t won since February 6th. The Grizz are 7-3 in their last ten. It’s the first time these two teams have seen each other this season. Who wants that win more? We’ll find out tonight at 6 p.m. Get home early so you can tune in. Tonight’s officials are Ken Mauer, Tony Brown, and Tyler Ford.

We’ve got a wild ride ahead of us Grizz Nation…so buckle your seat belts.