One point can change the feeling of a week. Memphis lost 135-134 to New Orleans on Monday, but the Grizzlies still carry a 6-1 record into Wednesday’s home game against Indiana. The Pacers, 2-6 through Monday, arrive after three straight losses and with a difficult injury list. This is a chance for Memphis to show that its hot start is more than a quick spark, while Indiana must find a way to stay connected without several key players.

The Grizzlies are writing a new chapter after changing their former core. Rookie forward Cameron Boozer has become the center of that story early. He is averaging 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Those numbers show a player who can do a little of everything: battle for missed shots, pass to cutters, and create scoring chances with strength and clever footwork. At 6-foot-8, Boozer gives Memphis a sturdy, skilled target near the basket and on the wing.

Around him stands a tall, tough support crew. Zach Edey is 7-foot-3 and uses his size to grab rebounds, protect the rim, and set hard screens that free guards for open lanes. Memphis averages nearly 50 rebounds per game, far more than Indiana’s 41.6. That could be the game’s biggest tug-of-war. If Edey, Boozer, and veteran Jerami Grant control the glass, the Grizzlies can create extra shots and slow Indiana’s chances to run.

Memphis also has firepower from outside. The Grizzlies are making 42.1 percent of their three-point shots, an early-season mark that has helped them score 123 points per game. Their recent wins over Sacramento and Portland showed how quickly that attack can pile up points. Grant can stretch the floor, while Boozer can pass when defenders crowd him. Still, Memphis commits 16 turnovers per game, so Indiana’s active hands could turn careless passes into fast breaks.

That is where the Pacers’ challenge becomes especially steep. Tyrese Haliburton remains out with a hamstring injury, taking away the guard who leads Indiana with 9.5 assists per game. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, and T.J. McConnell are also listed out in the latest injury notes, though Siakam, Nembhard, and Nesmith have return dates of Wednesday. Their official availability will matter greatly.

If Siakam plays, his strong drives and smart post work give Indiana a needed scorer. If Nembhard is cleared, his steady passing and 41.7 percent three-point shooting can help replace some of Haliburton’s creation. The Pacers still share the ball well, nearly matching Memphis in assists, but their 32.9 percent three-point shooting has made it harder to keep pace during this skid.

Indiana’s task is to defend with energy, force Memphis into mistakes, and make every rebound a fight. Yet the Grizzlies have more healthy options, a powerful frontcourt, and the confidence of a 6-1 start. Prediction: Memphis wins, with Boozer’s all-around game pushing its new era another step forward.

Cameron Boozer and Memphis Chase a Fast Start Against Shorthanded Indiana