The Grizzlies will look to notch their fifth consecutive victory for the first time since late January when they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to the FedExForum on Saturday. But they will be facing a Cavaliers team in blistering form, entering this game on a remarkable 15 game win streak.
As the Eastern Conference giants look to continue their dominance, Memphis will have to bring their A-game if they are to overcome a Cleveland team that has been one of the hardest teams to beat this season in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Cavaliers Pursuing History in 16th Straight Win
In recent weeks, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been nothing short of phenomenal. After winning two in a row on the road against the Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks they came back home Tuesday and took a hard-fought 109-104 come-from-behind win against the Brooklyn Nets.
Kenny Atkinson’s men were behind by 18 points when the second half opened, but, when inspired, clawed their way back into the contest. Without Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland (30 points), Jarrett Allen (23 points) and Evan Mobley (21 points) all carried their team to a win.
Their 15-game winning streak was followed by another, making the Cavaliers the first team in NBA history to achieve this feat in a single season. Despite having locked up a playoff berth already, Cleveland is not resting — not only are they looking for a 16th straight win (a record), but they also wouldn't mind extending their lead for home-field advantage.
Cleveland has dominated this matchup of late, winning all three regular-season meetings since last fall against Memphis. With their current momentum, they will be confident of sustaining that supremacy on Saturday.
Cleveland will have a crowded schedule, with six of its next seven games on the road, and its lone home game is against the Orlando Magic on March 16. How they come through this difficult period while continuing to win will be a huge test of their championship qualifications.
Grizzlies Want to Reafirm Stability in Western Conference
The Memphis Grizzlies capped February with a wild 151-148 win over the Phoenix Suns, which still stands as the highest-scoring N.B.A. game of the season. March began badly for them, four successive losses jeopardising their playoff hopes.
The men of Taylor Jenkins did not let that shaky start get to them, responding in style with four straight wins so far. They are coming off a 122-115 win against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Memphis had seemed like it was in control after taking a 14-point lead into halftime, but had to withstand a decisive third-quarter push from the Jazz before regaining command for good in the final quarter. Luke Kennard was undoubtedly the star of the night with a season-high 35 points, scoring 13 of those in the fourth and going 4-of-5 with a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc.
Because of the recent success, Memphis jumped over the Denver Nuggets for second place in the Western Conference standings. Yet, with the Oklahoma City Thunder still out in front, the Grizzlies must keep stack up victories as they try to lock down a top seed for the playoffs.
The Grizzlies will also certainly want revenge for their 129-123 loss to the Cavaliers last month in a game where both teams illustrated their high-scoring capabilities. With these two teams being two of the most offensively productive in the league, averaging a combined 245.3 points per game, another exciting shootout could be in the works.
Team News
Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. is still out due to an ankle injury but participated in team practice and is progressing on a potential return.
Santi Aldama is likely out with a calf issue.
Zyon Pullin is still sidelined with right patellar tendon surgery.
Cleveland Cavaliers
De’Andre Hunter missed the game against Brooklyn with an illness and is questionable to play Saturday.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell also missed the Nets game with a groin issue and his availability for this game is unknown.
TY Jerome, who was rested last time out, is available.
Projected Starting Lineups
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, GG Jackson, Brandon Clarke, Zach EdeyMemphis Grizzlies
Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Prediction & Final Thoughts
This game should be a fascinating tussle between a rolling Cavaliers group and a reanimated Grizzlies team. Cleveland’s incredible win streak gives them the upper hand mentally, but Memphis will be eager to lengthen their streak and fortify their place in the Western Conference standings.
With both squads able to put up points in a hurry, this should be an exciting, fast-paced game. Should Mitchell be out, the Cavaliers could be vulnerable, allowing Memphis a legitimate opportunity to earn a statement victory. But if Cleveland manages to play with the grit they exhibited against Brooklyn, then it would not be surprising if it earned a record-breaking 16th consecutive victory.Grizzlies Seek Fifth Straight; Cavs Go For Eighth In-a-Row
The Memphis Grizzlies will look to notch their fifth consecutive victory for the first time since late January when they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to the FedExForum on Saturday. But they will be facing a Cavaliers team in blistering form, entering this game on a remarkable 15 game win streak.
As the Eastern Conference giants look to continue their dominance, Memphis will have to bring their A-game if they are to overcome a Cleveland team that has been one of the hardest teams to beat this season in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Cavaliers Pursuing History in 16th Straight Win
In recent weeks, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been nothing short of phenomenal. After winning two in a row on the road against the Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks they came back home Tuesday and took a hard-fought 109-104 come-from-behind win against the Brooklyn Nets.
Kenny Atkinson’s men were behind by 18 points when the second half opened, but, when inspired, clawed their way back into the contest. Without Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland (30 points), Jarrett Allen (23 points) and Evan Mobley (21 points) all carried their team to a win.
Their 15-game winning streak was followed by another, making the Cavaliers the first team in NBA history to achieve this feat in a single season. Despite having locked up a playoff berth already, Cleveland is not resting — not only are they looking for a 16th straight win (a record), but they also wouldn't mind extending their lead for home-field advantage.
Cleveland has dominated this matchup of late, winning all three regular-season meetings since last fall against Memphis. With their current momentum, they will be confident of sustaining that supremacy on Saturday.
Cleveland will have a crowded schedule, with six of its next seven games on the road, and its lone home game is against the Orlando Magic on March 16. How they come through this difficult period while continuing to win will be a huge test of their championship qualifications.
Grizzlies Want to Reafirm Stability in Western Conference
The Memphis Grizzlies capped February with a wild 151-148 win over the Phoenix Suns, which still stands as the highest-scoring N.B.A. game of the season. March began badly for them, four successive losses jeopardising their playoff hopes.
The men of Taylor Jenkins did not let that shaky start get to them, responding in style with four straight wins so far. They are coming off a 122-115 win against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Memphis had seemed like it was in control after taking a 14-point lead into halftime, but had to withstand a decisive third-quarter push from the Jazz before regaining command for good in the final quarter. Luke Kennard was undoubtedly the star of the night with a season-high 35 points, scoring 13 of those in the fourth and going 4-of-5 with a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc.
Because of the recent success, Memphis jumped over the Denver Nuggets for second place in the Western Conference standings. Yet, with the Oklahoma City Thunder still out in front, the Grizzlies must keep stack up victories as they try to lock down a top seed for the playoffs.
The Grizzlies will also certainly want revenge for their 129-123 loss to the Cavaliers last month in a game where both teams illustrated their high-scoring capabilities. With these two teams being two of the most offensively productive in the league, averaging a combined 245.3 points per game, another exciting shootout could be in the works.
Team News
Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. is still out due to an ankle injury but participated in team practice and is progressing on a potential return.
Santi Aldama is likely out with a calf issue.
Zyon Pullin is still sidelined with right patellar tendon surgery.
Cleveland Cavaliers
De’Andre Hunter missed the game against Brooklyn with an illness and is questionable to play Saturday.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell also missed the Nets game with a groin issue and his availability for this game is unknown.
TY Jerome, who was rested last time out, is available.
Projected Starting Lineups
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, GG Jackson, Brandon Clarke, Zach EdeyMemphis Grizzlies
Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Prediction & Final Thoughts
This game should be a fascinating tussle between a rolling Cavaliers group and a reanimated Grizzlies team. Cleveland’s incredible win streak gives them the upper hand mentally, but Memphis will be eager to lengthen their streak and fortify their place in the Western Conference standings.
With both squads able to put up points in a hurry, this should be an exciting, fast-paced game. Should Mitchell be out, the Cavaliers could be vulnerable, allowing Memphis a legitimate opportunity to earn a statement victory. But if Cleveland manages to play with the grit they exhibited against Brooklyn, then it would not be surprising if it earned a record-breaking 16th consecutive victory.
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