On Thursday (3/24) Chris Herrington, Pete Pranica, Ryan McDonough, and Michael Wallace all joined 92.9 FM ESPN to discuss the Grizzlies and the status of Ja Morant. Listen to those here as we prepare for Thursday night's game vs. the Pacers on 92.9 FM ESPN.
Listen to Thursday night's Pacers vs. Grizzlies game LIVE on 92.9 FM ESPN here:
Here's GAME NOTES for Thursday night's game:
Bear Necessities
· The Memphis Grizzlies have reached 50 wins for the fifth time in franchise history with last night’s 132-120 victory over the Brooklyn Nets… Memphis will end its home back-to-back set, part of a four-game home stand, tonight against the Indiana Pacers, seeking what would be a season-high sixth consecutive home win… The Grizzlies also won five in a row at FedExForum from Dec. 29-Jan. 13.
· Memphis is 7-1 in eight games against the Central Division this season and has a +13.7-point differential in those games… The Grizzlies defeated the Pacers 135-102 in the teams’ first matchup on March 15 in Indianapolis… Memphis is looking for its first season series sweep of Indiana since the 2015-16 season.
· The Grizzlies, who outscored the Nets in points off turnovers 27-7 last night, outscored the Pacers 29-3 in the category on March 15… Memphis is outscoring opponents in points off turnovers by an average of 4.1 points this season, tied with the Raptors for the highest differential in the NBA.
· Desmond Bane surpassed Mike Miller (202 3PM in 2006-07) as the Grizzlies’ single-season recordholder for 3-pointers made last night against Brooklyn… The Grizzlies have two others on the verge of making history, from a single-season franchise perspective: Jaren Jackson Jr., who needs seven blocks to pass single-season leader Pau Gasol (169 in 2001-02); and Steven Adams, who needs 12 offensive rebounds to pass Zach Randolph (330 in 2009-10).
Individual Milestones
Jaren Jackson Jr. needs seven blocks to pass Pau Gasol (169 in 2001-02) for the single-season franchise record. Steven Adams needs 12 offensive rebounds to pass Zach Randolph (330 in 2009-10) for the single-season franchise record. Ja Morant is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for scoring average (27.6)… The current mark is held by Shareef Abdur-Rahim (23.0 in 1998-99). Desmond Bane is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for free throw percentage (.899)… The current mark is held by O.J. Mayo (.879 in 2008-09).
Series Records and Current Streaks vs. Opponent (Regular Season)
Overall: 19-32 (Won 1) Home: 13-13 (Lost 2) Last Win: 3/15/22 Last Home Win: 1/26/19
Connections
Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. started his high school career with Park Tudor School in Indianapolis… He then transferred to La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana for his senior year… Grizzlies wing Desmond Bane played at Richmond High School in Richmond, Ind… Grizzlies wing John Konchar played collegiately at Fort Wayne. Pacers wing Lance Stephenson played 26 games for the Grizzlies during the 2015-16 season. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins coached Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon in 2018-19 as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Grizzlies assistant coach Blake Ahearn spent the 2012 training camp and preseason with the Pacers. Grizzlies assistant coach David McClure spent three seasons with the Pacers as a player development coach (2016-18) and assistant coach (2018-19). Grizzlies assistant coach Vitaly Potapenko spent one season (2010-11) with Indiana as an assistant coach. Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce was a member of the Grizzlies’ player development and coaching staff for two seasons from 2011-13.
