Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers: Expert NBA Picks & Predictions – March 14th

Cleveland Cavaliers (55-10 SU, 41-23 ATS) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (42-24 SU, 35-29 ATS)

When: Friday, March 14th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: FedExForum, TN, Memphis

TV: FDSS

Point Spread: Cle -2/Mem +2

Total: 244.5

Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers -128/+107

Notable Injuries

Cavaliers

• Donovan Mitchell (Out) Groin
• De’Andre Hunter (Probable) Illness

Grizzlies

• Jaren Jackson Jr. (Questionable) Ankle
• Santi Aldama (Out) Calf
• Zyon Pullin (Out) Knee

At 8:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-128) will travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies (+107) in a non-conference matchup. The Cavaliers (-2) are currently favored and have won 15 straight games, while the Grizzlies (+2) have won four in a row and are second in the Western Conference.

This game will be played at the FedEx Forum and can be seen on FDSS. The over/under line is currently set at 244.5 points.

Recent Form

The Cavaliers improved to 55-10 on the season with a 109-104 win over the Nets on Tuesday. Despite being favored by 15 points, Cleveland didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 213 points fell short of the 224.5-point O/U line.

After trailing 63-50 at halftime, the Cavs turned things around by outscoring the Nets 28-23 in the 3rd quarter and 31-18 in the 4th to complete the comeback.

With a 122-115 home win over the Jazz on Wednesday, the Grizzlies improved to 42-24 this season. Memphis was favored by 10.5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 237, falling short of the 248-point over/under line.

Memphis went on a 10-0 run early, taking the score from 18-15 to 25-18. They extended their lead by outscoring Utah 34-26 in the 2nd quarter. Although the Jazz fought back in the 3rd, winning it 36-26, the Grizzlies held on by outscoring Utah 32-29 in the final quarter.

The Historicals

Across the previous five head-to-head meetings between the teams, both Cleveland and Memphis have an ATS record of 2-2-1. The Cavaliers hold the edge in average point differential at +7 points per game. Cleveland and Memphis averaged a combined 227 points per game in these games, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

In their win over the Nets, the Cavaliers struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 10 threes at a 23.8% clip. Overall, they shot 43.8% from the field.

Darius Garland led the way with 30 points, including 18 in the 4th quarter. Jarrett Allen added 23 points, 11 of which came in the 3rd, and Evan Mobley contributed 21 points, shooting 69.2% from the floor.

Despite a rough 2nd quarter where the Cavaliers gave up 34 points, they tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 23 points in the 3rd and 18 in the 4th to secure the win over the Nets. Cleveland allowed Brooklyn to shoot 46% from the field.

The Cavaliers gave up 16 threes on 36% shooting from deep but kept the Nets off the free-throw line, where they went 10/14. Cleveland finished with 36 defensive rebounds, allowing eight offensive boards, and added seven steals and four blocks.

Luke Kennard’s 30-point performance, including seven threes at 77.8%, led the Grizzlies to a win over the Jazz, with Kennard scoring 13 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. Ja Morant added 28 points, 10 of which came in the 3rd quarter, and hit four threes at 57.1%.

Memphis connected on 20 threes, shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc and 45.7% overall. Desmond Bane contributed 17 points, hitting three threes at 75%, while Scotty Pippen chipped in 11 points, with five coming in the 4th quarter.

Even with a shaky 3rd quarter where they allowed 36 points, the Grizzlies held the Jazz to 115 points on 46% shooting, including 35% from beyond the arc, in their win on Wednesday. Memphis gave up 12 three-pointers in the game.

The Grizzlies sent the Jazz to the line 28 times, where Utah converted 19 free throws. Memphis grabbed 34 defensive rebounds but allowed 17 offensive boards. They also recorded 15 steals and six blocks.

Betting Trends

• Cleveland has played well in their previous three road games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 123 points per game while allowing 111. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Across their five previous home games, Memphis has an ATS mark of 1-3-1. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 3-2 while averaging 114 points per game.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Grizzlies have gone 1-3-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 5-4-1 while going 10-0 straight up.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Even without Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs are the slight favorite over the Grizzlies on the road. Cleveland has a roster that is good enough to beat most teams in the league without Mitchell, but I really like Memphis at this number. I think the Grizzlies come out looking to pick up a statement win, and I like them to win and cover.