Cavs at Grizzlies preview and gamethread
The Cavaliers can have the longest win streak of the season with a win in Memphis
The Cavaliers keep streaking! Who will be the one to extinguish their flame?
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (55-10) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (42-24)
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
When: 8 pm EST
TV: FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
Line: Cavs -2.5
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell - OUT (groin), De’Andre Hunter - PROBABLE (illness), Emoni Bates - OUT (G League), Nae’Qwan Tomlin - OUT (G League), Luke Travers - OUT (G League)
Expected Grizzlies starting lineup: Ja Morant, Desmond BAne, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson II, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Grizzlies injury report: Santi Aldama - OUT (right calf), Jaren Jackson Jr. - QUESTIONABLE (left ankle), Yuki Kawamora - OUT (G League), Zyon Pullin - OUT (injury/illness)
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What to watch for
Sweet Sixteen
The Cavaliers are on the precipice of being the sole team in the NBA this season to reach a win streak of 16 games. They have had two separate runs this season totaling 15 wins in a row. The first streak ran from October 23 through November 19 while the current streak began on February 5.
De’Andre Hunter was acquired at the trade deadline on February 6, therefore, Hunter has not experienced a single loss while donning the wine and gold. The Cavaliers have already clinched the division title after Tuesday’s win against Brooklyn. They also clinched a postseason berth on March 6. All that is left is to secure the one seed and the way to accomplish that is to trudge along during the dog days of the NBA regular season.
It’s a mental challenge for certain to retain the same level of fight night to night. Especially with how the Cavaliers have had to grind for their wins lately. Wins in the league aren’t easy, especially when you are considered the gold standard of the season. It’s often easier being the hunter than the hunted. The Cavaliers have found that out the hard way as they have battled in close contests with the basement dwellers of the league.
DPOY Locked Up?
The last time these two teams faced off, there was a much closer contest for Defensive Player of the Year. Fresh off of Victor Wembenyama being shut down for the season, the contest reopened. Jaren Jackson Jr. opened up as the favorite, however, oh how the turntables have... Since that contest, Evan Mobley appears to have run away with the award, according to the sharks in Vegas.
Don’t look now Memphis fans, but Jackson is now currently tied for second in the odds at +1000. Standing in a tier of his own is Evan Mobley at -250. Since I know all of you are wondering yes, I did put a substantial fortune down on Mobley at +130 when Wemby bowed out of the race. In the words of Kevin Malone, if Evan Mobley wins the DPOY, I am going to become a VERY rich man ($4.20 to win $9.60).