1: Grizzlies Vs Cavaliers
High angle view of basketball players chasing for ball during the match in court.
Grizzlies Vs Cavaliers
Introduction
The much-awaited contest between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 24, 2025, lived up to its promise. Primarily these two teams are very much looking forward to this playoff battle, hence both entered this with a lot at stake. Announced as one of the loudest scoring teams with its rugged defense, Memphis is up against the Cavaliers, most probably the closest thing the league will have to a complete team.
With Ja Morant bringing the fight to Memphis and Donovan Mitchell directing the charge for Cleveland, this won’t be much of an argument between the two expanding houses.
Pre-Game Analysis
Memphis Grizzlies
Season Performance & Standings:
Record: 35-22 (4th in the Western Conference)
Last 10 Games: 7-3
Key Wins: Over Denver and Dallas
Key Losses: Close losses against the Clippers and Suns
Key Players to Watch
Ja Morant – Averaging 27.5 PPG, 8.2 APG, 5.1 RPG, it is anticipated that Morant’s explosion will help the team go over the hump.
Jaren Jackson Jr. – A defensive monster at 3.0 BPG, he also provides some offense.
Desmond Bane – The shooter is 41% from three and was key in stretching the floor.
Strengths & Weaknesses:
Transition offense pushes elite; breaking pace.
Outstanding shot blocking and interior defense.
Turnovers and capricious half-court offense.
Defense-staffed height against perimeter defense.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Season Performance & Standings
Record: 39-18 Second in the Eastern Conference Last Ten: 8-2
Key Wins: Close matches against the Celtics and the Bucks.
Key Losses: A hard blow from the 76ers.
Key Players to Watch
Donovan Mitchell: Leading the team with 28.1 PPG, he would sit at number one of the top players during clutch time.
Evan Mobley: The defensive anchor, at 15.7 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 2.3 BPG, gives the Cavs lots of run-and-jumping capability.
Darius Garland: One elite playmaker, 8.1 APG while being a threat to score.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Best defensive teams in the league.
Scoring offense that comes from various threats.
Sometimes falters in very fast-paced games.
Often rely too much on the three-pointer.
Game Summary & Highlights
Both teams flaunted their weapons to begin the game.
First Quarter
Cavaliers had a good run with a score of 32-25, and Donovan Mitchell netted 12 points. The grizzlies were still trying to get it going on the offensive end but were able to stay in the game through fast breaks.
Second Quarter
The Grizzlies were strong enough to put the Cavaliers under pressure, scoring 29-22 by the time of Ja Morant’s 10-point contribution. They were here now-54-54 at halftime, guaranteeing the fans an exciting second-half showdown.
Third Quarter
With strong inside play by Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis forged its way to a slight advantage, but Darius Garland poured in back-to-back threes to tie again at 79-79 heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter was hotly contested with some lead changes occurring as down the stretch Mitchell landed a huge 3-pointer only for Morant to reply with a fabulous layup, while at that moment Evan Mobley managed to make a last-gasp effort to secure the deal for Cleveland.
Player Performances & Statistics
Stars
Ja Morant (MEM) 32 PTS, 9 AST, 5
REB Donovan Mitchell (CLE) 35 PTS, 6 AST, 4
REB Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM) 18 PTS, 10 REB, 4
BLK Evan Mobley (CLE) 16 PTS, 12 REB, 3
BLK Darius Garland (CLE) 22 PTS, 8 AST, 3 STLS
Tactical Breakdown
Memphis Game Plan
Utilized fast breaks and penetration to the basket with Morant.
Exploited Jackson Jr.’s shot-blocking ability to rattle Cleveland’s offense.
Messed up several three-point opportunities at a rickety 32 percent.
Cleveland Game Plan
Emphasis on perimeter defense to limit Bane’s shooting.
Mobley and Allen gobbled up everything in the paint and restricted seconds for Memphis.
Carried out a balanced offensive assault utilizing both inside scoring and perimeter shooting.
Post-Game Reactions
Coach & Player Reactions
Donovan Mitchell (CLE): “This was a playoff-type game. “We had to dig deep to get the win.”
“It was a tough game for us, and we’ve got to execute better down the stretch.”So said Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies: “What we’ve got to do is better executing at the end of the game.” Also here, Cavs Coach J.B Bickerstaff added: “Our defense carried us through the night, and that’s how we are going to win into the playoffs.”
Fan Reactions
Twitter User @NBAFan24: “Mitchell vs. Morant is the rivalry we didn’t know we needed!”
Reddit Comment: “Mobley is a future Defensive Player of the Year. What a game!”
Consequences on Standings and Playoff Race
The Cavaliers (40-18) further establish themselves solidly during the season as second seeds in the East and start making headway towards the top.
Grizzlies (35-23), now fifth in the West, will require winning most of their next games in order to improve their seeding.
Match Table & Key Stats
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
|---|
| Grizzlies | 25 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 100 |
| Cavaliers | 32 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 105 |
Conclusion of Grizzlies Vs Cavaliers
Resilience defensively from the Cavaliers and the clutchness of Mitchell made the difference. A pack of brilliance showed from the Grizzlies, but it will take an upgrade in their half-court execution to make them much more competitive. See more
FAQ’s:
Why was this game more precious for both teams?
It has huge implications for playoff seeding. The Cavaliers were fighting for a top-two position in the Eastern Conference, and the Grizzlies were vying for some positioning in the very competitive Western Conference. It would also pair two rising powerhouses that seem to be contenders for a possible NBA Finals.
In what way did Donovan Mitchell “out-hero” Ja Morant in the clutch?
Even though both players put up extraordinary performances, it was actually the clutch three-pointer in the last minute and the leadership under pressure shown by Mitchell that tilted the game in favor of the Cavaliers. Morant was sensational, but with the onslaught of the Cleveland defense bearing down on him on the last two possessions, he faltered against the defense, with Mobley’s huge rejection on his final drive.
What was the biggest tactical battle in this game?
The Battle of Pace was a major tactical war. The Grizzlies looked to run and score in transition, while the Cavaliers were intent on slowing the game down, controlling the half-court, and forcing tough shots. Cleveland executed their defense right and ended up on top.
How did Darius Garland quietly dictate the game?
While Mitchell’s exploits were newsworthy, Garland’s elite playmaking (8 assists) and key threes in the third quarter held up the Cavaliers in the fight. Being able to withstand full-court pressure, dismantle defenses, and find teammates in crucial moments is one factor that was basically unnoticed in the win.
What is one surprising stat arising out of this matchup?
Grizzlies made 32% of their treys, with less than that coming in from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, whereas Cavaliers made 39%. Memphis does excel on fast-break points but their shining weaknesses are, in fact, evident from the inability of their outside shooting while killing settings. See more
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