Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies
FedExForum
Phoenix Suns -4.5-108
WCashedFinal 117-98
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Phoenix Suns Memphis Grizzlies Record 21-15 ← 16-20 Net Rating +0.3 ← -3.5 Pace 101.2 → 104.0 Road/Home 9-10 ← 8-9 Key Injuries Jalen Green Ja Morant (GTD) J. Bouyea Zach Edey (OUT)
Gary's Take This is a classic situational mismatch where the schedule makers did the Grizzlies no favors. Memphis is walking into the FedExForum on the second night of a back-to-back, having just emptied the tank in an emotional one-point win over San Antonio. This is their fourth game in six days, and they are doing it with a roster that looks more like a hospital ward than an NBA rotation. With Ja Morant doubtful and Zach Edey out, the Grizzlies are missing the vertical spacing and rim pressure that makes their high-pace offense click. Jaren Jackson Jr. is a force, but he can't carry the scoring load alone against a Phoenix defense that has found its teeth, ranking 10th in the league and holding opponents to just 108 points recently.
On the other side, the Phoenix Suns are rested and looking for blood after a heartbreaker in Houston. The transformation of this team since the 2025 offseason has been remarkable; they've traded superstar ISO-ball for a gritty, defensive identity. Dillon Brooks is playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging over 20 points in his last ten games and providing the kind of point-of-attack defense that will make life miserable for a tired Grizzlies backcourt. Devin Booker is due for a bounce-back efficiency night, and with Grayson Allen back in the fold to provide floor spacing, the Suns simply have too many ways to hurt a fatigued opponent.
While the Grizzlies have historically owned this matchup, winning six straight regular-season meetings, those games didn't feature this specific version of the Suns or a Memphis team this depleted. The Grizzlies' league-leading pace usually wears teams down, but tonight it's more likely to wear themselves out against a rested Phoenix squad that excels in the half-court. I expect the Suns to control the tempo early, exploit the mismatch in the paint with Mark Williams, and pull away in the second half as Memphis's legs start to go. Lay the points with the road favorite. I'm taking the Phoenix Suns -4.5 -108.
Injuries noted
Phoenix Suns: Jamaree Bouyea (Out) — Bouyea will miss a second consecutive contest while in the league's concussion protocol. The two-way player's next opportunity to suit up will come Friday against the Knicks.; Jalen Green (Out) — Green is still recovering from a right hamstring strain he sustained in a win over the Clippers on Nov. 8, though he's set to be re-evaluated any day now. The 23-year-old shooting guard can be considered doubtful for Friday's game against New York until the Suns provide an update on his status.
Memphis Grizzlies: John Konchar (Out) — Konchar hasn't played since Dec. 7 due to a torn UCL in his left thumb that required surgery, and he is expected to be re-evaluated any day now. Still, he should be considered week-to-week until the Grizzlies offer an update on his progress.; Cedric Coward (Day-To-Day) — Coward turned the ankle in Sunday's defeat to the Lakers and needs to sit out at least one contest to recuperate. The rookie first-rounder faces a quick turnaround Wednesday against the Suns. GG Jackson started the second half Sunday, and it's possible either he or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will replace Coward in the starting lineup Tuesday.; Ja Morant (Day-To-Day) — Morant will miss his second straight game due to a right calf contusion, and his next opportunity to play will come Wednesday against the Suns. With the star point guard sidelined, Cam Spencer and Vince Williams are candidates for increased roles, while Javon Small could remain in the rotation.; Brandon Clarke (Out) — Clarke missed the first 26 games of the season recovering from a knee injury, and only appeared in one full game before straining his calf just four minutes into his second contest. Santi Aldama and Jock Landale will likely see increased roles as a result.; Zach Edey (Out) — Edey is dealing with a stress reaction in his left ankle, which will keep him sidelined until sometime after the new year. The star big man is averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 assists in 25.8 minutes per game while shooting 63.3 percent from the field over 11 games this season. With Edey on the shelf, Jock Landale figures to fill the void at center while Santi Aldama handles more playing time from the bench.; Ty Jerome (Out) — Jerome continues to rehab from a high-grade right calf strain that he suffered during the preseason. His initial timeline to return was four weeks, but the seventh-year pro needs more time to recover, and his updated timeline means he's unlikely to make his 2025-26 regular-season debut until the new year. Vince Williams and Cam Spencer will continue to see more playing time in the absences of Jerome, Ja Morant (calf) and Scotty Pippen (toe).; Scotty Pippen Jr. (Out) — Memphis' awful injury luck continues. Based on this timetable, the earliest possible return for Pippen will be around Jan. 11 against the Nets. Pippen was projected to be the third-string point guard behind Ja Morant (ankle) and Ty Jerome (calf) to open the season, opening the door for Cam Spencer or Javon Small to step up.
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- Board stored January 7, 2026 at 1:08 PM ET.
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Props on this game
2Dillon BrooksOVER 19.5 Points Points-128
WActual 21
Listen, if you don't think Dillon Brooks has this date circled in red ink on his calendar, you haven't been paying attention to the man's career. He’s heading back to Memphis with a massive chip on his shoulder, and with Jalen Green out of the lineup, the Suns are going to need every bit of his aggressive scoring.
Brooks is a volume shooter who feeds off emotion, and there’s no bigger emotional trigger than facing the team that let him walk. I see him hunting his shot early and often, carving through a tired Grizzlies perimeter defense that’s playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Expect the 'Villain' to put on a show in his old stomping grounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr.OVER 20.5 Points Points-122
LActual 19
With Ja Morant likely watching from the sidelines, the keys to the Grizzlies' offense are firmly in the hands of Jaren Jackson Jr. Triple J is coming off a gritty 21-point performance against the Spurs just last night, proving he can shoulder the load when the lights are brightest.
The Suns lack elite interior size to bother him consistently, and Jackson has shown he’s more than willing to step out and knock down the three when the lane gets clogged. He’s cleared this 20.5 line in three of his last five outings, and in a high-stakes West clash, he’s the guy Memphis will turn to every time they need a bucket.
He’s the focal point tonight, plain and simple.
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