By: Daniel Carp, Grizzlies.com Contributor
Indiana Pacers
Record: 38-43
Standings: Eighth in Eastern Conference, fourth in Central Division
Starting Five: PG George Hill, SG C.J. Miles, SF Solomon Hill, PF David West, C Roy Hibbert
Head Coach: Frank Vogel (fifth season with team)
Last time out
Fighting for their playoff lives, the Pacers stayed in the driver's seat for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a gutsy 99-95 double-overtime victory against the Wizards Tuesday night at BankersLife Fieldhouse. Despite trailing 70-61 with 7:07 to play, Indiana rallied back and got some big shots from small forward Paul George, including a 20-footer with 22.4 seconds remaining in the first overtime to tie the game at 85-85.
Both teams mustered just four points apiece in the first overtime, but a 7-2 run in the second overtime fueled by George Hill and C.J. Miles sealed a thrilling come-from-behind win for the Pacers.
George played a season-high 18 minutes and scored 10 crucial points off the bench for the Pacers. Hill tallied 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, and Miles added a game-high 25 points. Marcin Gortat and Bradley Beal each recorded 19 points for the Wizards in a losing effort.
Last time versus Memphis
These two teams could not be less familiar with one another if they tried. The only meeting between the Pacers and Grizzlies this season was Oct. 31—the second game of the season for both teams. Memphis used a big third-quarter push to erase an eight-point halftime deficit and take home a 97-89 victory from BankersLife Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
After trailing by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, the Grizzlies turned the tables with a 26-2 run. Memphis outscored Indiana 33-14 in the third period, with 11 of those points coming from power forward Zach Randolph, who finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Center Marc Gasol added 20 points for the Grizzlies. Small forward Chris Copeland scored 16 points off the bench to lead the Pacers.
Key matchup
Against a physical Indiana team, the battle between centers Marc Gasol and Roy Hibbert could go a long way in deciding the outcome of Wednesday's pivotal matchup. Battling a sprained ankle, Gasol managed to play just 21 minutes in Memphis' loss to Golden State Monday, scoring six points. Hibbert consistently rose to the occasion in Indiana's playoff run a season ago, and will look to do so again to keep his team in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Can a limping Gasol make life difficult for the 7-foot-2 bruiser?
Game night promotion
It's Fan Appreciation Night! All fans will receive a commemorative Grizzlies poster presented by First Tennessee Bank.
Misc. Notes
George comes back at the right time
All season long, Paul George was the trick up Indiana's sleeve. If the All-Star small forward could return from a gruesome broken leg he suffered playing for Team USA in the summer in time for the stretch run, the Pacers could make a late rally and become a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.
That conspiracy theory has since become a reality. George returned to action April 5, and although he is playing limited minutes, the fact that Indiana has won all five games he has suited up for is no coincidence. George is averaging 10.2 points per game and shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc since his return to game action.
Playoff push
With 28 of the 30 NBA teams playing on the last night of the season, Wednesday's Grizzlies-Pacers matchup is wrought with playoff implications. For Indiana, a win secures them the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. If the Pacers lose and Brooklyn beats Orlando, Indiana's season is over. Should Indiana make the playoffs, it will earn a first-round series with the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
The Grizzlies have recently fallen out of contention for the Southwest Division title and a top-4 seed in the first round of the playoffs. Currently seeded sixth in the West, Memphis will secure the fifth seed with a win against the Pacers and losses by both Houston and San Antonio. If the Grizzlies lose to Indiana or the Rockets and Spurs both win tonight, Memphis will hold on to the sixth seed. Moving up to No. 5 in the conference would mean a first-round matchup with Portland and homecourt advantage. If they stay pat in the sixth spot, the Grizzlies could face, San Antonio or the Clippers depending on how the season's final day plays out.
One obscure stat
Indiana has won just 29.4 percent of its games on the second night of back-to-backs this season. The Pacers have won 51.6 percent of games played after one or more days of rest.