The Memphis Grizzlies (50-21) reached the 50-win plateau for the third-straight season following their conquest of the lowly New York Knicks on Monday. They will look to solidify their grip of the second place in the Western Conference when they welcome the rampaging Cleveland Cavaliers (46-26) later tonight. Like the Grizzlies, the Cavs are aiming to strengthen their chances of finishing no lower than second place in the Eastern Conference.
Also in the wild West, an intriguing matchup between last season’s conference finalists in the Thunder and the Spurs is on tap today. Click here for a full preview of that game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview
Where: FedExForum, Memphis
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (+2); total: 194.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs’ three-game road trip began with a bang, as they cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, 108-90, to extend their win streak to three games. Up next for Cleveland is a game at FedExForum, where it is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 visits.
[sc:NBA240banner ]After a subpar 16-point performance in the Cavs’ 117-92 win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, LeBron James roared back to his usual form, scoring 29 and 28 points in back-to-back wins against Indiana (95-92) and Milwaukee, respectively.
James, who’s averaging 25.5 points in March, could be primed to have another big game later tonight against Memphis. James had 25 points in the Cavs’ 105-91 against the Grizzlies on December 21. But despite that big win, the Cavs enter the rematch with Memphis wary of their opponents’ inside prowess.
Memphis absolutely dominated the Cavs around the rim in the first meeting, scoring 62 points in the paint against Cleveland’s 50. Cleveland, however, should provide more solid interior defense this time around with Timofey Mozgov now in the fold. In 38 games since acquiring Mozgov in a trade with Denver back in January, the Cavs have limited opposing teams to only 41.8 points in the paint per game.
Kevin Love’s return should also improve Cleveland’s spacing on offense. In three games back since his two-game break, Love is averaging 10 points and nine rebounds per game.
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Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies extended their winning streak to three games on Monday when they beat the lackluster New York Knicks, 103-82. Their winning streak has coincided with the return of point guard Mike Conley, who had missed the previous four games with an ankle injury. Conley is averaging 14 points and five assists in his return, but his stellar defense will be required in keeping Kyrie Irving in check.
The bruising frontcourt tandem of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol led the team offensively against New York, as they decimated the Knicks’ defense with 44 points and 15 rebounds combined. Randolph wasn’t around in the first meeting with Cleveland, so expect Memphis to be more competitive later tonight.
The Grizzlies limit their opponents to almost four points fewer per 100 possessions when Zach Randolph is on the floor as per NBA stats. Plus, the Grizzlies will be at home, where they are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games.
The Grizzlies play better defense at home, as they limit visiting teams to just 93.5 points per game. Overall, Memphis allows opponents to average 98 points per meeting.
Writer’s Prediction
Memphis (+2) wins, 98-96.
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