Colin Rafferty –
“It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll.”
It has been two days since the 131-95 smack down loss in Boston. Hopefully there were some inspiring practices in between then and now.
The Grizz will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers who are 8-5 on the season and are coming in after a loss on Thursday against the Raptors 126-113.
The Cav’s are led by Donovan Mitchell who is averaging 30.5 points per game and 5.5 assists per game. Big man Evan Mobley adds 8.7 rebounds per game while also being a viable defender.
Guys like De’Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen add more depth in scoring and defense. This Cav’s team will not go away easily, so start out hot and keep the pressure on them.
The Grizzlies will need to make sure they keep some of those guys from heating up.
Photo Credits: Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
In the few games the Grizz have won this year, they have been good from the tip; sharp, focus, and with good ball movement. When things get off track are when they go to more of an isolation-ball gameplan and when there are big substitutions or one’s that kills a squad’s momentum.
The Cav’s are a top 5 team in total offense (122.2 ppg) and are top 12 in the league in point differential (+3.9). In short, the Grizzlies will have their hands full again.
Ty Jerome might help scout this team as he signed with the Grizzlies over the summer, leaving the Cav’s after spending the last 2 seasons there. He is still recovering from a calf injury sustained right before the beginning of the season.
All eyes will be on the Grizzlies team, as there are question marks all around. The addition of Zach Edey might answer some of those.
There is growing optimism that the big guy will be available for the Grizz here in the next coming days, and maybe even today. He is listed as DOUBTFUL for today.
It will be nice to see him and Ja work together, while also helping Jaren out on the defensive side and with the spacing problems.
The Grizzlies need a shot in the arm, and he may be able to provide it.
Other injuries to keep an eye on are Cedric Coward as he is listed as DOUBTFUL for today’s game with right-foot soreness, Javon Small is OUT, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper is QUESTIONABLE.
If Coward doesn’t go today, that will be huge. He is quickly carved out a space for himself on the team and caught the eyes of the public so far. He is top 3 in most of the NBA Rookie Rankings.
Tip-off is at 4 PM CST in Cleveland, OH. You can find the game on the NBA TV channel.
Leave a Reply