Memphis Grizzlies vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
Where: Quicken Loans Arena – Cleveland, Ohio
When: Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (+14) at Cleveland Cavaliers (-14); total: 226.0 – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies (+14)
The Grizzlies (shockingly) made quick work of two-time defending Western Conference champions Golden State Warriors this past Saturday, blowing them out, 110-89. They held the Splash Brothers to an uncharacteristic 8-for-28 shooting.
Marc Gasol and company will now continue their “hell week,” as they get the Cleveland Cavaliers for their next two outings. It is probably the toughest three-game stretch of any team this regular season.
In attempting to once again shock the basketball world, we can expect Gasol to continue being the focal point of the offense and defense. He’s doing it all this season, especially since their $153 million-dollar point guard, Mike Conley, went down a couple of weeks ago. During that span (seven games), the Spaniard has been putting up 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.
It’s a bit tough to assume as to which Grizzly will be the next best contributor, since head coach David Fizdale has been shuffling his rotation often – 11 of his players are averaging 21 minutes per night and nine of those are recording at least 9.1 points per game.
Defensively, the Grizz have been really good. They are the number one-ranked defense and they give up the third fewest points (97.6 PPG). It’s the offense that needs some help, since they are 28th in scoring (98 PPG) and 25th in offensive ratings.
The Grizzlies are on a six-game winning streak and are 7-1 SU (6-2 ATS) in their last eight games on the road.
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (-14)
LeBron James had one of his finest games in a while last Saturday. He powered the Cavs’ 116-105 win over the visiting Charlotte Hornets, scoring a season-high 44 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. The Cavs are now 17-5 and still number one in the East.
Although the 25 PPG average is his lowest since his rookie year, he’s averaging a career-high 9.1 APG. Also, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love both averaging 20-plus PPG, James’ scoring abilities aren’t as needed.
The last time the Cavs were against the Grizzlies was last season, where they fell 106-103. Marc Gasol was not able to suit up, but Tony Allen made up for it and more, shooting 11-for-17 for 26 points, four assists, and five steals.
This Cavs team is whole lot better than last year, though. Through its Big 3, the team is ranking third in scoring (111.5 PPG) and offensive rating, while also averaging the second most threes per contest (13.5).
With Mike Conley out, Irving should have success against the Grizz’s young guards. He’s posting career averages of 24.7 PPG on 54.5-percent shooting versus the visitors. The same goes with Love; his career numbers with Gasol, Randolph, and the Memphis bigs are 17.8 PPG and 10.6 RPG, while shooting 50.6-percent from the field.
The Cavaliers are 11-2 SU (6-6-1 ATS) in their 13 home games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Cleveland (-14) wins, 105-96, and doesn’t cover the spread.
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