Packet data corresponding to a multicast (MC) packet received by a network device is stored in a packet memory. A header of the MC packet is analyzed to determine two or more ports via which the MC packet is to be transmitted. It is determined that two or more pending read requests are to read packet data from a particular memory location in the packet memory. In response to determining that the two or more pending read requests are to read packet data from the particular memory location, the packet data is read a single time from the particular memory location. Respective instances of the packet data read from the particular memory location are provided to respective two or more read client devices for subsequent transmission of the packet data via the two or more ports determined by the packet processor.