Kenny Atkinson's Cleveland Cavaliers headed to the FedEx Forum to face Taylor Jenkins' Memphis Grizzlies, with the mission to continue the winning streak in a difficult matchup between the two teams as the Cavaliers came out victors in an assertive 133-124 win away from home.
This was the 57th regular season matchup between the sides, with the Cavs coming out on top against the Grizz at the Rocket Arena.
The Cavaliers headed into this game with a 15-game win streak and came off the back of a big win at home against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Grizzlies played at home yesterday with a victory in a close encounter against the Utah Jazz with guards Ja Morant and Luke Kennard running the show for Memphis.
Coach Jenkins' side started out with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Washington State graduateJaylen Wells,JarenJackson Jr.**** and Zach Edey.
Starting Five vs Cleveland:
π» @JaMorant
π» @DBane0625
π» @jaylen_wells
π» @jarenjacksonjr
π» @zach_edey pic.twitter.com/4QtlasVzm2
β Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 14, 2025
The starting five at the Forum for the visitors had**Darius Garland**, Max Strus, Auburn graduate Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Five at the Forum.
Carr Bros. Inc | Cavs Small Business Program | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/q9j0oIPlyI
β Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 14, 2025
Mobley Mania
The visiting Cavaliers have already clinched their playoff berth, with a home win against the Miami Heat a few weeks ago in what was a standout performance for Donovan Mitchell.
Tip-off beckoned and the game started out with Cleveland looking to stamp their authority early on, with a Max Strus three to set the tempo of the game.
The big men for both sides, Jarrett Allen and Zach Edey were in constant battles in the early stages of the first quarter in a tough matchup between the two centers.
A crucial block by Evan Mobley just off the baseline saw him go 15 straight games with a block in each game for the forward.
Jaren Jackson Jr. looked to be an ever physical presence in and around the paint for the home side.
Block Panther ποΈ @jarenjacksonjr pic.twitter.com/pZmQFDwS6O
β Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 15, 2025
Later on, Mobley and the Cavs capitalised on a turnover with Mobley eventually getting the go-ahead bucket.
Darius Garland struggled to have a scoring impact early in but was key to facilitating plays in and around the paint.
Coaches on both benches decided to alter the lineups on the floor, with De'Andre Hunter checking in for Cleveland and Vince Williams Jr. in the game for Memphis.
With Desmond Bane tightly guarded at all costs, Morant had to lead the charge for Memphis in the first half as he proved to be very effective in and around the paint with a neat fadeaway jumper.
A loose ball foul called on Ty Jerome, who had checked into the game, saw Morant head to the charity to which he made both of his free throws.
An incredible start to the game for the guard in what turned out to be a remarkable night, scoring over 40 points.
A break on offense for Cleveland at the start of the second quarter saw a Mobley jumper made, right on the mark as he made his third triple in a row.
There are do-it-all players, then there is @evanmobley. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/7DzkwTTRjA
β Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 15, 2025
Great defensive plays for Memphis by Scotty Pippen Jr saw him pick up his own board following a big block.
A long distance three by Darius Garland was drained, to sombre the mood out of the home fans at the FedEx Forum as the Cavs found their real rhythm from the perimeter.
Possessions later, a bad pass by Williams Jr., saw the ball turned over to Strus, who found Javonte Green, who picked out Jarrett Allen for a statement dunk.
Luke Kennard hadn't found his shooting stroke at all in the game, despite his star-studded performance in their previous game against the Jazz.
Cleveland looked efficient on both ends of the floor, spacing out the floor really well with everyone getting a good feel of the ball, as they scored over 70 points between both quarters.
Memphis struggled to be effective from outside and heavily relied on the physical presence on the inside and managed to only put up 58 points heading into halftime.
Cavalier Connection
Coach Atkinson's team are now 13-0 since the addition of De'Andre Hunter to the roster from the Atlanta Hawks.
A move which made former college teammate Ty Jerome incredibly excited about, as the duo played for three years together at the University of Virginia in what was a remarkable run during their time as Cavaliers which ended with winning the National Championship in 2019.
"That's my best friend."
Ty Jerome on learning his former Virginia teammate De'Andre Hunter was joining the Cavs π«Ά pic.twitter.com/2k8rMh4s6C
β NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025
The two combined for 30 points against the Grizzlies as they showed their dynamism on the floor when called upon.
Jerome's vision and playmaking alongside Hunter's sharp shooting and game intelligence could see them reach even higher levels with the core they have now.
Memphis Missing the Mark
The Grizzlies struggled right away at the start of the second half as the likes of Bane and Edey got good looks but didn't manage to drain their shots.
Despite the early setbacks, a Jackson Jr. corner three looked to bolster his teammates as that was his third triple made of the night.
Sam Merrill checked into the game for the Cavs and proved to have the hot hand as multiple trifecta shots were made, with 100% shooting from three for the guard, as it gave his side a 20-point lead.
Kennard continued to struggle and gave away the ball in careless possessions, having a huge effect for the rest of his game.
It looked set to be one-way traffic for the rest of the second half.
An alley-oop made by Mobley off a neat Jerome assist saw the forward ferociously throw it down.
Morant continued to be consistent, making high percentage shots and made over 40 points in the game and finished the night breaking his season high, with 44 points on the evening.
"That's my best friend."
Ty Jerome on learning his former Virginia teammate De'Andre Hunter was joining the Cavs π«Ά pic.twitter.com/2k8rMh4s6C
β NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025
The Cavs offense seemed to be one step ahead of the Grizzlies' defence, ever since the home side faced their small setbacks at the start of the second quarter.
With the minutes counting down, A trifecta shot from the corner drained by Dean Wade, followed by a long-distance shot made by Garland was the ultimate dagger to call it a night for Memphis.
DG hit this one from NASHVILLE! @dariusgarland22 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/HiIH71tmbB
β Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 15, 2025
A whole host of changes for both sides saw **Marvin Bagley III**andJohn Konchar check in for the Grizz, with young Jaylon Tyson and veteran Tristan Thompson in for the Cavs, to close the game out in the final possessions.
An all round great performance by everyone who contributed for Cleveland, as they break their franchise record for longest winning streak to 16 games on the bounce.
The visitors went full force into the second half to keep the momentum going and not allow the pendulum to swing into Memphisβ favour.
Coach Jenkins with a lot to run down from this game as they face the Heat as they found it difficult to find a way back into the contest against Cleveland as their winning streak snapped, disposed of by the Cavaliers.