Memphis’ 6-1 start puts Indiana’s depleted backcourt under siege

Memphis hosts Indiana on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. ET, with the 6-1 Grizzlies, ranked No. 2 in the power index, facing a 2-6 Pacers team ranked 24th. Memphis has outscored opponents by 90 points through seven games, averaging 123.0 points while allowing 110.1; Indiana scores 111.8 and gives up 115.6 per game. Ty Jerome has 169 points in six games for Memphis, while Indiana’s Pascal Siakam has 150 points in seven and Andrew Nembhard has 44 assists in six. The key pressure point is Indiana’s backcourt depth: Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell are out, while Kelly Oubre Jr., Obi Toppin and Ivica Zubac are questionable. If Memphis sustains its scoring pace against a defense allowing 115.6 points a night, Siakam and Nembhard will need to carry the Pacers’ creation load to keep the matchup tight.