The Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers get together for a high-profile matchup on Thursday evening. The Grizzlies are 11-15 on the road this season and will be traveling for the second night of a back-to-back after a home game on Wednesday. The Cavaliers are 31-22 overall with a sparkling 21-6 record in home tilts. Caris LeVert (hamstring) is questionable for Cleveland. Steven Adams (knee) and Danny Green (injury management) are out for Memphis, with Jaren Jackson Jr. (thigh) doubtful.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Cleveland as a 6-point home favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 222.5 in the latest Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers odds. Before you make any NBA predictions with the Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies match-up, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 16 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 49-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Grizzlies vs. Cavs and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Cavs vs. Grizzlies:
- Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers spread: Cavaliers -6
- Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers over/under: 222.5 points
- Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers money line: Cavaliers -225, Grizzlies +185
- MEM: The Grizzlies are 4-3 against the spread with no rest
- CLE: The Cavaliers are 17-9-1 against the spread in home games
- Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis is an excellent defensive team, allowing only 1.1 points per possession for the season and ranking in the top three of the NBA in defensive rating. The Grizzlies are No. 1 in field goal percentage allowed, and Memphis allows opponents to shoot only 51% on 2-point attempts. Memphis is in the top eight in turnover creation, with more than 15 takeaways per game, and the Grizzlies are near the top of the league in blocked shots and steals per game.
Memphis is also elite in points allowed in the paint, and the offensive end is friendly to the Grizzlies. No team creates more points in the paint on offense than Memphis, and the Grizzlies secure well over 30% of offensive rebound opportunities while producing more than 16 second-chance points per game. Memphis is also in the top quartile of the league in fast break points with more than 17 per game, and the Grizzlies take care of the ball (14% turnover rate) while generating more than 25 free throw attempts per contest.
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Cleveland is the superior offensive team in this matchup from an efficiency standpoint. Memphis ranks below the league average in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage, and the Grizzlies are dead-last in free throw accuracy, making fewer than 72% of attempts. The Cavs have two excellent guards in Donovan MItchell and Darius Garland, with Mitchell selected as a starter in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. He is averaging 27.6 points per game with 61.7% true shooting, and Garland adds 21.8 points and 8.1 assists per game.
Cleveland is scoring more than 1.14 points per possession, well above the league average, and the Cavaliers are in the top 10 in field goal percentage (48.4%) and 2-point percentage (55.5%). Cleveland commits only 13.9 turnovers per game, maximizing possessions and boosting overall efficiency.
How to make Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 227 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Cavs vs. Grizzlies? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
