The Cleveland Cavaliers (55-10) and Memphis Grizzlies (42-24) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game will be broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Cavaliers are 2-point favorites over the Grizzlies on the spread (Cavaliers -2), with the over/under set at 245.5 total points. Cleveland is a -125 favorite to win outright, while Memphis is +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks for Friday, March 14.
Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies Picks, Prediction
Spread
Although Cleveland opened as 4.5-point road favorites, this line is down to -2. My power ratings project the visitors as closer to a one-point favorite, even before accounting for the injury to their star player, Donovan Mitchell.
Moneyline
As much as I'd like to pull the trigger on Memphis to win outright, Cleveland is a perfect 5-0 this season in games without Mitchell.
Over/Under
While I lean to the under in this spot, the Grizzlies have the highest average total.
My Pick: Grizzlies +2.5
Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -108 | 245.5 -108o / -112u | -125 |
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -112 | 245.5 -108o / -112u | +105 |
- Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies spread: Cavaliers -2
- Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies over/under: 245.5 total points
- Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies moneyline: Cavaliers -125, Grizzlies +105
- Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies best bet: Grizzlies +2.5 (-115)
My Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers best bet is on Memphis to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies Preview
This matchup is all about the injury report, considering that Mitchell (groin) won't be available for Cleveland. The Cavaliers' leading scorer missed Tuesday's game against the Nets, and while head coach Kenny Atkinson didn't view the injury as something long-term, his star guard will now sit out in back-to-back contests.
Cleveland needed a massive effort in the fourth quarter to eke out a 109-104 home win over Brooklyn after trailing by as many as 18 points in the game.
While the victory extended the Cavaliers' unbeaten run to 15 games, maintaining this winning streak could prove challenging against a more formidable team like the Grizzlies.
When the two sides met in February, Mitchell led all scorers with 33 points in a 129-123 Cavaliers victory. His 31% usage rate is the 10th highest in the NBA, which suggests he's not as easily replaceable in this Cleveland offense.
Another thing we must consider about the first meeting is that Cleveland outrebounded Memphis 57-37 on the glass. Such dominance certainly feels like an aberration considering that the Grizzlies (47.6) are the second-best rebounding team with Cleveland (45.4) sitting in the eighth spot.
Part of Cleveland's success this season involves playing at a faster pace. It sits 11th with 100.4 possessions per game after finishing 24th (97.62 possessions per game) in the previous campaign.
However, no team in the league plays faster than the Grizzlies, who average 104.1 possessions.
Those extra possessions will test the Cavaliers' efficiency, but without Mitchell as their security blanket, they could have some nervy moments offensively.
Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies Prediction
One player who could fill the void in Mitchell's absence is Darius Garland. The Cavaliers point guard scored a game-high 30 points against the Nets and has a points + rebounds prop of 26.5 (-120) for Friday's contest.
Although Garland has been below this projection during the season, averaging 23.6 points and rebounds, we saw a significant jump to 29.8 points in the five games that Mitchell didn't play.
Given the fast-paced style of both teams, Garland should have ample opportunities to cover this combo prop of 26.5.
Since we're already siding with Memphis to cover the spread, utilizing Garland as part of a bet365 same-game parlay is intriguing because it's not a correlated play. That combination would help boost our odds to +260 while incorporating only two legs.
Best Bet: Grizzlies +2.5 (-115)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Grizzlies +2.5
- Darius Garland Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +255
Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Betting Trends
