The Memphis Grizzlies (32-19, 11-15 Away) head to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (31-22, 21-6 Home) Thursday in a game that may see lower point totals. Memphis is playing the second of a back-to-back after dropping their last game against the Portland Trail Blazers 122-112 at FedExForum yesterday.
With 32 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds, Ja Morant was a top performer in the losing effort. The Grizzlies are trailing the Denver Nuggets by two games in the Western Conference, currently sitting in second.
Cleveland dropped a close one on Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, falling to the Miami Heat 100-97. Evan Mobley had 19 points in the loss to lead the team. The Cavaliers are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.It’s the final meeting of the season between the teams.
Memphis will be seeking a season sweep against Cleveland after winning the only previous meeting 115-114 at FedExForum on January 18, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 25 points.
Darius Garland had 24 points and 14 assists in the loss. Morant is averaging 27.4 points per game to lead the Grizzlies in scoring this season. Morant also has dished 8.3 assists per game, fifth-most in the league.
Meanwhile, Steven Adams is grabbing 11.5 rebounds.Donovan Mitchell’s 27.6 points per game have powered the Cavs on offense.
He has the ninth-highest scoring average in the league. Garland is distributing 8.1 assists per game, sixth-most in the NBA, and Jarrett Allen is pulling down 9.7 rebounds per game.
The Grizzlies and the Cavaliers rank as the top two defenses in the NBA, first and second in defensive efficiency, respectively.
The Cavaliers have had the advantage in the Grizzlies’ last 10 trips to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, winning six. Memphis is looking to avoid a sixth consecutive road loss this season.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are 4-3 when playing on consecutive nights this season and 3-3 in such games against rested opponents. The Cavaliers are 4-4 with a rest advantage.
In the last 10 games, Memphis is 4-6 with an average margin of +0.2 (115.6-115.4). Cleveland has also a 4-6 record over the last 10, scoring 109.2 points per game on average while allowing 106.1 (+3.1 margin).
GRIZZLIES HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
John Konchar: 1.0 | 12.7 | -11.7
Points per game:
Dillon Brooks: 10.8 | 15.4 | -4.6
Rebounds per game:
Ja Morant: 8.3 | 5.8 | +2.5
Assists per game:
Ja Morant: 12.5 | 8.3 | +4.2
CAVALIERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Kevin Love: 1.0 | 17.1 | -16.1
Points per game:
Donovan Mitchell: 17.0 | 27.6 | -10.6
Rebounds per game:
Kevin Love: 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8
Assists per game:
Donovan Mitchell: 6.7 | 4.9 | +1.8
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Cleveland Cavaliers (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
