Dribbles: Cavs Show Fight To Outduel Grizzlies, Clinch Playoff Berth

February 23, 2025

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 129-123 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday …

1. This one had a playoff feel, only with a lot more offense. That was a result of the Grizzlies, who love to push the pace.

2. And without All-Star guard Darius Garland (hip), the Cavs had to hang on for dear life until the very end. But they showed guts and spirit in a game where every ounce of each was needed.

3. So make it seven straight wins and a 47-10 record. That’s the best in the NBA and tied for 11th-best after 57 games in league history.

4. Oh, by the way, the Cavs clinched a playoff berth with the win. In the event you thought they might not make it.

5. Last year, they finished 48-34. This year, they’ve won 47 before March 1. I’d say that’s progress.

6. Anyway, the Grizzlies (37-20) are no joke, entering the night at second in the West. They play with a lot of pride and a lot of moxie, and like the Cavs, they don’t bend or break easily.

7. So naturally that led to some chippiness. The most shining example came in the third quarter, when Cavs star Donovan Mitchell battled Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane for a loose ball.

8. The whistle blew and the Cavs were awarded the timeout, but Mitchell and Bane battled on. It led to a brief skirmish, with Mitchell, Bane, Tristan Thompson and the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant all receiving technical fouls. The Cavs led 74-71 at the time.

9. As awful as the refs were all night, at least they didn’t throw anyone out. Everyone got to keep playing, which is the way it should be.

10. Mitchell sort of chuckled when asked about the scuffle. “To be honest, we’ve been here before as a group against that exact team,” he said. “… For us, this is who we are, just continue to stay (even keel) regardless. It’s competitive basketball.”

11. As usual, the contributions came from everywhere for the Cavaliers. Mitchell finished with a game-high 33 points on 11-of-23 shooting, including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. He was aggressive from the start and threw down yet another highlight-worthy jam.

12. Evan Mobley was fantastic with 25 points, 13 rebounds and a team-high eight assists. Yes, the power forward led the team in assists. And Ty Jerome erupted for 26 points off the bench, going for 15 big ones in the fourth quarter. It’s safe to say Jerome let the opponent know about it every time he scored.

13. Jarrett Allen played with a bad hand but still went 6-of-8 from the field for 13 points and 10 boards. De’Andre Hunter added 12 points and Max Strus scored 11. Each grabbed eight rebounds.

14. Meanwhile, newcomer Javonte Green was active but did not play. That’s not a huge surprise. Green just got to town after the Cavs claimed him off the waiver wire. There’s plenty of time to get some run before the playoffs.

15. By the way, I thought this description of Jerome was beautifully and accurately written by Jackson Flickinger of Fear The Sword: “There’s a chaotic energy that Jerome plays with that’s hard to put your finger on. He’s simultaneously in control at all times but doesn’t look that way when you’re just observing. Jerome attempts crazy cross-court passes, isn’t afraid to pull from multiple steps beyond the arc, and is apt to take crazy floaters when he has only a little bit of daylight. The truly wild thing is… he’s shown to be exceptional at all of those things.”

16. Amen to that.

17. The Cavaliers outrebounded the Grizzlies by a whopping 57-37 count, and that domination on the glass was a big key to pulling this off without Garland. “We’ve been emphasizing it,” coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters.

18. Atkinson added that the coaching staff has been preaching for the Cavs to “win the possession game.” This helps for the times when you don’t shoot the ball well. “We started 2-of-20 (on threes),” he said. “So that was a playoff-type win.”

19. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 22 points, and Morant added 21, including 11 in the fourth. Former Ohio Mr. Basketball Luke Kennard scored 19 off the bench.

20. The Cavs now have a couple of biggies coming up on the road — at Orlando on Tuesday and at defending champion Boston on Friday. Garland’s injury doesn’t sound too serious, but it’s not yet been determined when he might return.