Memphis will play its first game of the new 2021-22 season at home against Cleveland. Last season, the Grizzlies won two more away games (18 and 20). However, there is no doubt that the young Morant and Co. are determined to win in the opening meeting, as the next four games will be on the road. The match is scheduled to start at 01:00 UK time.
Possible line-ups for the match:
Memphis Grizzlies:
G – Ja Morant; G – Desmond Bane; F – Kyle Anderson; F – Jaren Jackson Jr; C – Steven Adams.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
G – Collin Sexton; G – Darius Garland; F – Kevin Love; F – Isaac Okoro; C – Jarrett Allen.
Memphis Grizzlies:
Ja Morant did not spare himself or his opponent in the preseason. Despite the fact that the games had no tournament significance, the Bears’ leader scored 20+ points. If he hadn’t taken part in the game, the teams’ productivity would have dropped considerably. That was the case, for example, recently when Memphis lost against Atlanta 87-91.
As for squad changes, the Grizzlies lost Jonas Valanciunas in the offseason. The Lithuanian was transferred to New Orleans. In his place, Stephen Adams and Eric Bledsoe joined the Bears. Many fans are critical of the team’s management as they consider the exchang uneven. Valanciunas was one of the Memphis leaders and played an important role in Taylor Jenkins’ tactical schemes.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cleveland still has the same players on the squad – Sexton, Garland, Love, Osman, Okoro. There’s been an infusion of fresh blood. Lauri Markkanen or Ricky Rubio are here to strengthen the Cavaliers’ game.
The Cavs managed two wins in preseason games, beating Atlanta (99-96) and Indiana (110-94). At the same time, Cleveland was defeated by Chicago. “The Bulls scored 131 points against the Cavaliers and won by 36 points.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Cleveland Cavaliers statistics:
Memphis has scored more than 112 points only once in their last ten face-offs.
“The Cavaliers got 10 three-pointers per game on average last season and improved to 12 in two face-offs. In five preseason games, that total was 10.6.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Cleveland Cavaliers Tips:
Cleveland played slowly again in the preseason. Only the first game against Chicago was a failure. In the rest of the battles, the Cavaliers put up a good fight against their opponents.
Most likely, J.B. Bickerstaff will not change his tactics. Last season, his team was considered one of the slowest in the league. The home team is unlikely to win by a wide margin.
Our prediction is a Grizzlies’ win with +8.5 points handicap with the odds of 1.78 with VBet bookmaker.
Four of Cleveland’s five preseason games did not break the 209-point mark. It’s unlikely to change now. Memphis won’t get far on Morant alone.
Our second prediction is a total of points under 218.5 with the odds of 1.71 with VBet bookmaker.