Ja Morant dazzles in dominant performance as Grizzlies aim for revenge against Wizards
Game Information
The Memphis Grizzlies are set to face off against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, December 28, at 5:00 p.m. CST. The matchup will take place at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Fans can catch the action on the FanDuel Sports Network in Memphis or Monumental Sports Network in Washington. For those tuning in via radio, 92.9 FM ESPN Radio and AM 680 will cover the Grizzlies, while 980 AM serves the Wizards’ audience.
Season Context
This game marks the second encounter of the season between the two teams, with the Wizards having won their previous meeting earlier this month. Historically, the Grizzlies hold a favorable record against the Wizards, boasting a 33-25 advantage in regular-season matchups. In those games, they’ve been particularly dominant at home, with a 24-6 record compared to a 9-19 showing on the road.
Projected Starters
Grizzlies
G Ja Morant
G Cedric Coward
C Santi Aldama
F Jaylen Wells
F Jaren Jackson Jr.
Wizards
G CJ McCollum
G Bilal Coulibaly
C Alex Sarr
F Khris Middleton
F Kyshawn George
Injury Updates
For the Grizzlies, Jock Landale is listed as questionable due to a calf issue, while Vince Williams Jr., Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, John Konchar, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are all out with various injuries. The Wizards face their own health concerns, with Kyshawn George being questionable due to a hip complaint and Malaki Branham uncertain with a thumb issue. Corey Kispert and Cam Whitmore will not play, sidelined by a hamstring and shoulder injury, respectively.
Betting Lines
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Grizzlies are favored to win with a spread of -6.5 (-110), while the Wizards sit at +6.5 (-110). The moneyline shows the Grizzlies at -245, with the Wizards at +200. The total points over/under is set at 237.5, with odds of over -114 and under -106.
Coach’s Insight
Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Ja Morant’s recent performance following a significant victory over the Bucks, highlighting his potential and the importance of consistent play. “He has the capability of doing this,” Iisalo stated. “The thing is just like, Ja needs to get some games under his belt. Even today, I thought we had a pretty good idea in our discussions, and I think both of us were very happy with that, that he was able to express himself fully and then still not have those long stretches where he’s off the court.”
Iisalo noted Morant’s impressive ability to penetrate defenses, saying, “This was huge. His athletic plays were incredible, not just with his finishing in transition but also in the half-court setting, getting past defenders and delivering alley-oops or kick-out passes. It was a complete performance from him. He also did a great job defending [AJ] Green on the perimeter, chasing him around.”
Looking Ahead
With the stakes high and a chance for redemption on the line, the Grizzlies will look to Morant’s standout performance as they seek to even the score against the Wizards. As anticipation builds among fans and analysts alike, all eyes will be on the court to see how this rematch unfolds.
