NBA Cleveland CavaliersMemphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game Preview, Prediction

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By @Kramerica100

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Getty Images

Memphis Grizzlies (21-5) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-10)

Game Time: Sunday, December 21, 4:30 p.m. ET

Projected Starting Lineups:

Memphis Grizzlies: PG: Mike Conley, SG: Courtney Lee, SF: Tayshaun Prince, PF: Zach Randolph, C: Marc Gasol

Cleveland Cavaliers: PG: Kyrie Irving, SG: LeBron James, SF: Shawn Marion, PF: Kevin Love, C: Anderson Varejao

The Cavaliers will have an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the best teams in the league on Sunday as they host the Grizzlies. Cleveland has been up and down so far in LeBron James‘ return season. They are fifth in the Eastern conference at 15-10 and still look to be figuring things out with all of their new pieces.

Memphis, on the other hand, has the second-best record in the NBA, as they have raced off to a 21-5 start. The Grizzlies’ starting five has been together for years, and they are playing like a legitimate title contender. Marc Gasol has upped his scoring to nearly 20 PPG and the center is in the conversation for MVP.

This is the final game of a brutal four-game stretch for the Grizzlies that included games against the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls. Impressively, they have a chance to go 3-1 over that span with a win over the Cavaliers on Sunday.

The Grizzlies do have a couple of injuries that could factor into this game. Tony Allen is expected to miss the game with an eye injury, while Zach Randolph is questionable with knee swelling. Jon Leuer would likely get the start if Randolph is unable to go.

Health hasn’t been an issue for Cleveland. They are just trying to get everyone familiar playing with one another. Kevin Love has been getting lost on offense and has gone long stretches without scoring. Kyrie Irving seems to be unsure about when to be a scorer and when to be a distributor. Cleveland is at their best when LeBron is creating offense for everyone else, and that is something they have been doing more lately.

The injury to Allen will be a costly for Memphis in a game like this. His perimeter defense will be missed greatly against James. The possible absence of Randolph would hurt a lot too, because the Grizzlies would have a chance to dominate inside if he plays. I think LeBron will be in full distributor mode, getting everyone involved on offense. Memphis would win a playoff series between these two teams right now, but I think the Cavaliers will be too much for the shorthanded Grizzlies in this game.

Final Prediction: Cleveland 103 – Memphis 98

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