Memphis Grizzlies (0-0) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0)
Game Info: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 8:00 pm (FedExForum)
Betting Odds: Memphis Grizzlies -7.5 -- Over/Under: 217.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the FedExForum on Wednesday night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be hoping to continue their gradual climb up the standings after winning just 22 games last season. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton have cemented themselves as the one-two punch in the starting backcourt, but they should have more support this time round as Ricky Rubio and Lauri Markkanen should provide some help while Evan Mobley could emerge as a Rookie of the Year candidate. Given the improvements, I expect the Cavaliers to continue their slow climb, but the playoffs are still a long way away.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies are returning with pretty much the same lineup after making the playoffs first the first time in five years last season. Jonas Valanciunas and Grayson Allen were both traded away for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe and some picks. I expect Ja Morant to have another big season along with Dillon Brooks, but I don’t think they’ll get too far unless they can get a full season out of Jaren Jackson Jr.
Looking at the betting trends, the Cavaliers are 7-23 ATS in their last 30 road games and 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 games as an underdog. The Grizzlies are 0-4 ATS in their last four home games and 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games playing on three or more days rest.
Head to head, the under is 6-0 in the last six meetings in Memphis, the Cavaliers are 21-7 ATS in the last 28 meetings overall and the Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Memphis.
The Cavaliers made a couple of nice moves in the offseason by acquiring Rubio and Markkanen but they’re a long way from being competitive, so it’s hard to back them against a healthy Grizzlies team on the rise. The Cavaliers are just 7-23 ATS in their last 30 road games and I think that trend continues as the Grizzlies open their season with an easy win and cover at home behind a big game from Morant.