Cleveland Cavaliers vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 09/04/2024, 21:19  by Joseph King | Modified on 09/04/2024 at 22:19 in NBA Predictions

The East’s fifth-place Cleveland Cavaliers host the West’s 13th-placed Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday as we approach the finale of the NBA regular season. At 46-33, the Cavaliers find themselves in a tight four-way race with the Knicks, Magic and Pacers, all of whom are separated by just 1.5 games in the standings. The Cavs lead the sixth-place Pacers by one game but trail the fifth-placed Knicks and third-placed Magic by just half a game. With three games left on the docket, each game will take on increased importance as teams jostle for a higher seeding heading into the postseason. Cleveland has extra motivation as they will be desperate to end the season on a high note. They’re currently on a streak of three consecutive losses and four defeats in their last five overall following their most recent 120-118 away loss to the Clippers on Sunday. Star guard Donovan Mitchell didn’t play in the loss to the Clippers, likely because it was the second leg of a road back-to-back. The 28-year-old is not listed on the official injury report so expect him to suit up on Wednesday.

The Grizzlies have nothing left to play for in the final three games and will be counting down the days until the offseason. It’s been a huge disappointment of a year for Memphis, who finished last season as the number two seed in the Western Conference. Many had expected the Grizzlies to take the next step this season after their first round exit to the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs. However, having star player Ja Morant first suspended then suffering season ending shoulder surgery meant their season never really got going. Memphis comes into this game off the back of a 102-87 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The result snapped a three-game winning streak and brought the Grizzlies’ record to 27-52 on the year.