Cavs vs. Grizzlies game preview: High scoring affair

The Cavs will face a lethal Grizzlies offense that averages the same, league-best points per game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will play their second nationally televised game in a row, this time against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (46-10) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (37-19)

Where: Rocket Arena - Cleveland, Ohio

When: 7:00pm EST

TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network, CW43

Line: Cavaliers -5.5

Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Cavs injury report: Darius Garland - QUESTIONABLE (hip), Jarrett Allen - QUESTIONABLE (hand), JT Thor - OUT (G league)

Expected Grizzlies starting lineup: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey

Grizzlies injury report: Zyon Pullin - OUT (G League), Cam Spencer - OUT (G League), Yuki Kawamura - OUT (G League)

What to watch for

Defensive Player(s) of the Year?

This matchup between the Cavs and Grizzlies features a a unique paint battle: arguably two of the best three young big men in the league. Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr. are two of the best in the league defensively and pay traditional inside-out offensive games. Much like Mobley, Jackson is firmly in the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year. Now, with the season ending injury for San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, Mobley and Jackson are likely the two front runners for the award.

Both players deter would-be drives to the rim, alter ones that do go up, and have a near identical block percentage. The Cavs and Grizzlies will be game-planning to try and limit the defensive damage of their opposing bigs.

Barn-burner

Believe it or not, but the Cavs and Grizzlies are averaging the exact same 122.8 points per game - tied for first in the league. Memphis plays with the highest pace (Cleveland is fifth) and coral the most offensive rebounds in the NBA (Cleveland is 22nd), but are second-worst in turnovers per game (Cleveland is 5th-fewest).

The Cavs’ offense has been excellent all season, and should maintain as they get healthier, but Memphis is no slouch. Ja Morant is a growing superstar point guard and Desmond Bane is one of the deadliest three-point shooters next to him, a good pairing given their respective skillsets. Jackson is a capable three-point shooter and rookie Zach Edey can clean up on the interior.

Basically, this should be a high-scoring affair assuming everyone is healthy.