Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Prediction & Picks (Feb. 2): Expect a Low-Scoring Affair in Cleveland

Thursday, Feb. 2’s NBA schedule features a huge matchup on TNT as the Memphis Grizzlies pay a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was only two weeks ago that Memphis picked up a hard-fought 115-114 victory over Cleveland at home, leaving many to wonder who’ll emerge victorious from the latest Grizzlies vs Cavaliers clash.

Coming to the game tomorrow? Be sure to pick up your Cavs Crossbody Bag presented by @1LECOM! ✨

MORE INFO: https://t.co/HPBkztnd10 pic.twitter.com/92sC2up3qd

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 1, 2023

The Grizzlies sure haven't looked like one of the Western Conference’s best teams lately. Memphis’ record has dropped to 1-6 over the last seven games following Wednesday’s 122-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, the Grizzlies return to the road, where they’ve lost five consecutive games.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were last in action two nights, picking up a 100-97 loss to the Miami Heat. Considering how tonight is the final outing of a three-game homestand for Cleveland, look for the home team to do what it can to come out on top.

There’s a lot to take in before Thursday’s Grizzlies vs Cavaliers game. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the game’s odds while also having a prediction, the best bets and a player prop for tonight’s contest.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Memphis Grizzlies (32-19, 11-15 Away) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-22, 21-6 Home)
• Venue & Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, Ohio)
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Grizzlies vs Cavaliers TV Info: TNT

Heat vs Knicks Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, Feb. 2 at 8:46 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Memphis Grizzlies +6 (-110)
• Cleveland Cavaliers -6 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 223.5 Points (-110)
• Under 223.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline

• Memphis Grizzlies +190
• Cleveland Cavaliers -230

Memphis Grizzlies vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

• Memphis is 4-13 straight up in its last 17 road games against Cleveland.
• Cleveland is 15-5 straight up in its last 20 home games.
• Memphis is 2-6 against the spread (ATS) in its last eight games.
• Cleveland is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against Memphis.
• The total has hit the under in each of Memphis’ last seven games.
• The total has hit the under in four of Cleveland’s last five games against the Southwest Division.

Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Prediction and Picks

Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Prediction: Cavaliers 115, Grizzlies 108

Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Picks: Cavaliers -6 (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline) & Under 214.5 Points Points (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline)

I’m not confident that the Grizzlies can break out of their funk tonight. The truth is that they haven’t given people much to believe in over the last seven games.

While the Grizzlies’ offense has been solid overall this season (116.6 PPG, No. 8), that hasn’t been the case lately. Memphis is only averaging 110.7 points over the last seven games — ranking sixth-worst.

The decreasing point total can be linked to inaccurate shooting considering how the team has only shot 44.2% from the floor (No. 30) and 28.9% from three-point range (No. 29) in that span.

The Grizzlies have also averaged 15.1 turnovers over the last seven games (No. 24) while also owning a minus-6.7 scoring margin (No. 26).

Now, the Grizzlies are saddled with a tough task: defeating the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Cleveland has been one of the most uninviting cities for visiting teams this season, highlighted by the Cavaliers’ 21-6 record in their arena.

The Cavs’ defense tends to be rock solid at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, allowing an NBA-best 105.6 PPG at home. Cleveland limits opponents to 45.9% shooting at home (No. 9) while also boasting a plus-7.9 scoring margin (No. 2).

A trip to Cleveland has meant bad things for Memphis in the past. The Grizzlies have lost 13 of their last 17 road games against the Cavaliers and although the former has won both of its last two trips to Cleveland, this is a much stronger Cavs squad.

Another reason why I don’t trust the Grizzlies tonight is that they’re only 1-7 as underdogs this season. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 28-14 as favorites, equating to a 66.7% win percentage. On top of that, Memphis is 9-16-1 ATS in away games thus far, highlighting the Grizzlies’ inability to create distance on the road.

For reference, the Cavaliers are 16-9-2 ATS through 27 games at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse this season.

With the Grizzlies having lost five straight road games, I’m confident that the Cavaliers can stand tall at home. They haven’t been perfect, but the Cavaliers have been playing better basketball than their counterparts. With a fierce Cleveland crowd in attendance, the Cavs will have even more momentum to win.

For the best bet, I’ve got the Cavaliers covering as 6-point favorites. Not only have they covered the spread successfully at home, but they’re also 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Grizzlies, who are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games overall.

I also recommend backing the under on the 223.5-point total. On top of the under being 5-1 in Cleveland’s last six games and 7-0 in Memphis’ last seven, it’s also 6-3-1 in the last 10 Grizzlies vs Cavaliers matchups. Since both sides boast two of the better defenses in the NBA, another low-scoring duel isn’t out of the question.

Best Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Prop Bet

Ja Morant — Under 9.5 Assists (-104)

Ja Morant’s projected assist total sits at 9.5 heading into tonight’s game. Although he’s finished with the over in each of his last four games, I don’t have faith that he can make it five in a row.

For starters, the Cavaliers have limited Morant’s playmaking ability in the past. The Grizzlies superstar is only averaging 7.8 assists in five previous matchups against Cleveland, finishing with fewer than 9.5 in each of the last four.

Considering how the Cavaliers also allow the fifth-fewest assists to point guards during the 2022-23 campaign, I expect a quieter night from Morant on the playmaking front.

Other Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Resources

• Grizzlies vs Cavaliers Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats

Other NBA Stories on Betting News (Feb. 2)

• Heat vs Knicks Prediction & Picks (Feb. 2): Miami’s Defense Frustrates New York at MSG