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Suns vs Grizzlies Game Preview: Phoenix Aims to End Three-Game Losing Streak

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Suns vs Grizzlies: The Phoenix Suns (1-3) host the Memphis Grizzlies (2-2) on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Mortgage Matchup Center (Footprint Center) in Phoenix, Arizona, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on FDSSE, AZ Family, and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, with streaming available on NBA League Pass and Fubo.

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Current Standings and Recent Form

The Suns enter this matchup desperately seeking their second win of the season after dropping three consecutive games. Most recently, Phoenix fought back from a 20-point deficit against the Utah Jazz but fell short in overtime by a final score of 138-134 on October 27. Despite the valiant comeback effort, the loss extended their skid and placed them near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.​

Memphis, meanwhile, comes into this game following a disappointing 131-118 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on October 28. The Grizzlies’ defensive effort proved ineffective, allowing the Warriors to shoot an impressive 53% from the field. Prior to that loss, Memphis had a standout performance, defeating the Indiana Pacers 130-105 at home, dominating a game that saw them build a 25-point lead.

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Key Defensive Concerns

Both teams carry significant defensive vulnerabilities into this matchup. Phoenix ranks among the worst in the league defensively, posting the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA at 123.7 points per 100 possessions, trailing only the Brooklyn Nets. This defensive fragility has been a primary factor in the Suns’ poor start to the season. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ defensive issues were on full display against Golden State, as the team allowed opponents to score 146 points in a regulation game earlier this season.​

Offensive Firepower and Star Players

Devin Booker continues to shoulder a heavy offensive load for the Suns, averaging 28.5 points and 6.8 assists per game. Booker has been Phoenix’s primary scoring option, though the team’s lack of depth and supporting cast consistency has limited their offensive efficiency overall. Grayson Allen has provided secondary scoring at 17.5 points and 5.5 assists per game.​

For Memphis, Ja Morant leads the Grizzlies with 22.3 points per game, though his efficiency has been concerning in recent games. Morant shot just 32.7% from the field over his last three games, a significant dip from his season average. However, Morant’s playmaking has been improving, with his assists increasing game-to-game from three to six to eight to nine. The Grizzlies star is confirmed to play tonight despite the injury absences affecting other roster spots.​

Cedric Coward, Memphis’s first-round draft pick from Washington State, has been a bright spot, scoring 27 points in Saturday’s victory over Indiana. His emergence provides the Grizzlies with additional scoring options.

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Injury Report

Phoenix Suns injuries:

  • Dillon Brooks — Out (right groin discomfort) — Second consecutive game missed​
  • Jalen Green — Questionable (right hamstring) — Has yet to debut for the Suns since being acquired in the Kevin Durant trade​

Brooks, who had been averaging 19.3 points per game before his injury, has been a significant loss for Phoenix’s offensive depth. Jalen Green’s status represents a potential addition as he recovers from his hamstring issue.​

Memphis Grizzlies injuries:

  • Zach Edey — Out (left ankle)​
  • Brandon Clarke — Out (knee)​
  • Ty Jerome — Out (right calf)​
  • Scotty Pippen Jr. — Out (left big toe)​
  • Vince Williams Jr. — Out (right heel)​
  • Santi Aldama — Questionable (left shoulder)​

The Grizzlies face a more significant injury crisis than the Suns, with five confirmed players out and limited depth available off the bench.​

Betting Lines and Predictions

The Grizzlies are established as 2-point favorites (-2 on the spread), with Memphis favored at -130 on the moneyline to win outright. The Phoenix Suns are +110 underdogs. The over/under is set at 241.5 total points, suggesting oddsmakers expect a competitive, relatively high-scoring matchup.​

Expert predictions:

GlobeLynly News predicts: Grizzlies 123, Suns 115 — The prediction favors Memphis due to superior depth and two-way balance, though it acknowledges Phoenix could pull off an upset if Morant struggles.​

Action Network (Joe Dellera) best bet: Ja Morant Double-Double at +250 — The reasoning is that Morant is averaging 22.3 points and seeing his assists increase consistently. Phoenix’s defense is allowing the fourth-most assists per game to point guards and the fifth-most overall, creating an advantageous matchup for Morant’s playmaking.​

Covers.com (Quinn Allen) prop pick: Jaylen Wells Under (points scored) — The analyst notes that Wells is averaging 9.5 points per game this season and cashed the Under in three of four games, suggesting backing the Under on his scoring total.

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Historical Context

Notably, the Suns have struggled against the Grizzlies recently. Looking at head-to-head history, the Suns went winless against Memphis last season, though many of their losses came by narrow margins averaging just 4.2 points. This statistical reality suggests that while Phoenix hasn’t found success against Memphis recently, the games remain competitive.​

The Bottom Line

This matchup presents a critical opportunity for the struggling Suns to halt their three-game skid at home, while the Grizzlies seek to rebound from their disappointing loss to the Warriors. Despite Memphis being favored, Phoenix’s status as the home team and Devin Booker’s elite scoring output provide hope for a potential upset. However, the Suns’ historically poor defense and the Grizzlies’ greater depth—despite their own injury concerns—make Memphis a slight edge in what should be a competitive contest that could exceed 241.5 points given both teams’ defensive vulnerabilities.

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