The Grizzlies surprisingly fired head coach Taylor Jenkins last night just a few weeks before the 2024-25 NBA postseason. Jenkins is the winningest coach in franchise history with a 250-214 record and has served the squad since 2019-20. Tuomas Iisalo will assume the role of the team’s interim head coach, starting tomorrow when they host the Lakers at the FedEx Forum.
The Grizzlies just clinched their playoff spot, making this decision shocking, to say the least. Memphis are the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 44-29 record – level with the fourth-seeded Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Magic, Wizards, Sixers, Bulls, Thunder, and Spurs will also host the Kings, Nets, Heat, Mavericks, Pacers, and Celtics.
Basketball fans should continue to get their usual dose of NBA 2025 highlights even as the regular season winds down. Without further ado, here is the SBOTOP preview of the top three games from tomorrow’s slate.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies
As mentioned, the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins because the front office believes he had lost the locker room. Memphis hope that sacking him now will mitigate how the team finishes this season. Jenkins was fired probably because the Grizzlies have lost four of their last five games, and their 125-104 loss against the West-leading Thunder proved to be the last straw.
Jaren Jackson Jr. did his best to keep Memphis afloat. He scored 27 points, four assists, two blocks, and five three-pointers on 9-for-21 shooting from the field. Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, and Santi Aldama added 17, 13, and 10 points.
Starting point guard Ja Morant hasn’t played for the Grizzlies in six consecutive games due to a hamstring injury and is questionable to play against the Lakers.
After beating the Pacers via a buzzer-beating tip-in by LeBron James last Wednesday, the Lakers got a dose of their own medicine in their 119-117 defeat against the Bulls last night, as Josh Giddey hit his halfcourt heave at the buzzer over James’ outstretched hands.
Austin Reaves, who almost decided the game with a late layup, notched 30 points, three assists, and two blocks on 10-for-17 shooting from the field. Luka Doncic, Jaxson Hayes, and LeBron James added 25, 19, and 17 points.
Betting tip – Memphis Grizzlies Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.98
Indiana Pacers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Pacers have won six of their last seven games and are keen to win their second straight game when they visit the Thunder at Paycom Center tomorrow.
Indiana are fresh from a blowout win over Washington, where they set new franchise records for most points scored in a non-overtime game (162) and made three-pointers (27). The game was so out of hand that they started taking shot clock violations with well over a minute to play as respect for their hosts.
Nine players recorded double-digit points for the Indiana Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton led with 29 points, and Myles Turner, Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin, Pascal Siakam, Thomas Bryant, Aaron Nesmith, TJ McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin added 17, 16, 15, 13, 12, 11, 10, and 10 points.
The Thunder’s recent victory over the Grizzlies was their record 61st win in the 2024-25 regular season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 37 points, three rebounds, six assists, and three steals on 15-for-25 shooting from the field. Jalen Williams, returning from a seven-game absence, had 20 points. Isaiah Hartenstein and Cason Wallace added 18 and 10 points.
Betting tip – Over 238.50 @1.86
Boston Celtics @ San Antonio Spurs
Since losing to the Thunder earlier this month, the Celtics have won seven consecutive matches, with six of them on the road. Boston boast the league’s best road record at 30-7, and the NBA 2025 odds back them to beat San Antonio.
The Celtics pummeled the Suns last Wednesday night despite not having Jayson Tatum. Kristaps Porzingis led with 30 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and four three-pointers on 10-for-15 shooting from the field. Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser added 24, 16, 16, 16, and 11 points. Tatum, who injured his ankle against the Kings last Monday, is expected to play against the Spurs.
The Spurs are close to getting eliminated from playoff contention in the Western Conference after back-to-back losses against the Pistons and Cavaliers. Five players recorded double-digit points last Thursday, but it wasn’t enough to beat Cleveland. Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle had 22 points each to lead the Spurs. Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and Jeremy Sochan added 17, 16, and 13 points.
Betting tip – Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -11.00 @ 1.95
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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