The Memphis Grizzlies visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers on March 1, 2026, in a matchup between two teams struggling near the bottom of their conferences. Both sides are going through difficult stretches, with injuries, inconsistent performances, and defensive issues affecting their results. Memphis holds a slight edge in the betting market, but this game is expected to be close as neither team has shown strong form recently.
The Pacers enter the contest on a five-game losing streak at home, while the Grizzlies have also been inconsistent, winning only three of their last ten games. Both teams rank among the weaker defensive units in the league, and their recent games have often turned into high-scoring contests. With playoff hopes fading for both franchises, this matchup could turn into a fast-paced offensive battle. Here is the full preview with standings, recent form, injuries, player stats, head-to-head trends, and best picks.
Match Information
| Match | Memphis Grizzlies vs Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|
| Date | March 1, 2026 |
| Time | 5:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| TV | FDSIN / FDSSE |
| Spread | Grizzlies -1 |
| Over/Under | 238.5 |
| Moneyline | Slight edge to Memphis |
Current Standings
| Team | Record | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Grizzlies | 22–36 | Out of playoff race |
| Pacers | 15–45 | Bottom of standings |
Both teams are already looking ahead to next season, with limited postseason hopes.
Recent Form
| Team | Last 10 Games | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Grizzlies | 3–7 | Inconsistent performance |
| Pacers | 2–8 | Five-game losing streak |
Indiana has struggled at home recently, while Memphis has been slightly more competitive despite mixed results.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| All-time meetings | Grizzlies lead 22–16 |
| Last meeting | Grizzlies won 128–103 |
| Season series | Memphis 1–0 |
Memphis has had the upper hand in recent meetings, including a comfortable win earlier this season.
Team Statistics
Memphis Grizzlies
| Stat | Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 115.6 | 15th |
| Points Allowed | 117.9 | 22nd |
| Rebounds | 44.5 | 12th |
| Assists | 28.8 | 5th |
Memphis moves the ball well but struggles defensively, especially in transition.
Indiana Pacers
| Stat | Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 111.5 | 28th |
| Points Allowed | 119.5 | 25th |
| Rebounds | 42.6 | 25th |
| Assists | 26.3 | 15th |
Indiana’s defense has been a major weakness, allowing close to 120 points per game.
Key Players to Watch
Memphis Grizzlies
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santi Aldama | 14.0 | 6.7 | 2.9 |
| Cedric Coward | 13.3 | 6.2 | 2.9 |
| Jaylen Wells | 12.3 | 3.4 | 1.7 |
| Cam Spencer | 11.4 | 2.6 | 5.5 |
Memphis relies on balanced scoring rather than a single dominant scorer.
Indiana Pacers
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 23.9 | 6.8 | 3.9 |
| Andrew Nembhard | 17.4 | 2.8 | 7.4 |
| Jarace Walker | 10.9 | 4.9 | 2.3 |
| T.J. McConnell | 9.5 | 2.2 | 4.7 |
Siakam remains the main offensive option when available.
Injury Report
Grizzlies
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Ja Morant | Out |
| Brandon Clarke | Out |
| Santi Aldama | Out/Questionable (team rotation issues) |
| Multiple rotation players | Out |
Memphis continues to deal with major roster shortages.
Pacers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | Out |
| Ivica Zubac | Out |
| Aaron Nesmith | Out |
| Andrew Nembhard | Questionable |
Indiana is also missing key contributors, especially on offense.
Betting Trends & Insights
- Combined team scoring average: 227.1 points
- Both teams rank in the bottom half defensively
- Pacers have failed to cover in recent games
- Memphis is 12–7 as moneyline favorite this season
- Pacers have won only 12 of 50 games as underdogs
Best Picks for Grizzlies vs Pacers
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Grizzlies -1 |
| Total | Under 238.5 |
| Moneyline | Grizzlies to Win |
| Lean | Close game expected |
Predicted Score
Grizzlies 117 – Pacers 115
This matchup features two teams struggling with injuries, defensive problems, and inconsistent results. The Pacers have been especially poor recently, losing multiple games in a row and failing to protect their home court. Memphis has not been in great form either, but they hold a slight edge in team balance and recent head-to-head results.
With both defenses allowing high point totals, the game could remain close throughout. However, Memphis has shown better results when playing as a slight favorite and should have enough depth to edge this contest.
Expect a competitive game with several scoring runs from both sides, but the Grizzlies’ overall balance and recent success against Indiana give them the advantage in what should be a tight finish.
