The Memphis Grizzlies fell short against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 129-123 on February 23, 2023. The game, held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, showcased both teams' talents but highlighted the Cavaliers' advantage.
Leading the charge for the Cavaliers was Donovan Mitchell, who played exceptionally well with noteworthy contributions from Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Mitchell, averaging 24 points per game, made 8-of-26 field goals, part of his continued impressive form this season. Garland supported the effort with 21 points and 6 assists, showcasing the backcourt’s prowess.
On the other end, the Grizzlies were led by their own All-Star, Jaren Jackson Jr., who battled through foul trouble and still managed to score 22 points. Jackson's contributions were integral early on, but as the game progressed, foul issues limited his impact. Zach Edey scored 6 points and collected 9 rebounds, making his presence felt late, but early production was stymied, and it cost the Grizzlies valuable possessions.
The contest was closely ranged, but the Grizzlies were often outmatched when it came to maintaining control of the glass. According to Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal, "The Grizzlies were manhandled on the glass," and Jackson struggled to get consistent looks due to foul complications, affecting the offensive flow.
Similarly, the Cavaliers capitalized on their height advantage. With Jarrett Allen and Mobley inside, they generated offensively and defensively without allowing Memphis to find their rhythm entirely.
The game’s turning point came late in the fourth quarter, where the Grizzlies managed to cut the deficit. They pulled to within four points with just under two minutes left, forcing the Cavaliers to scramble and make errors. Ja Morant, with 20 points and 7 assists, tried to spearhead the charge as he dominated play at times. Damichael noted how Edey "eventually made a strong impact with his offensive rebounding, but it wasn't enough" as Memphis struggled to convert those chances with timely shooting.
Before this game, the Grizzlies were riding on momentum, having won six of their last ten games. Their solid record of 37-19 had established them as serious contenders within the Western Conference. Memphis was hoping for victory against one of the best teams, the Cavaliers, who showcased their strength with impressive records, currently standing at 46-10.
The Cavaliers, with their kind of depth and skill demonstrated throughout the season, displayed the potential to make noise come playoffs. They have clearly maintained their dominance with significant victories, especially at home where they held an impressive 26-4 record. Looking toward the playoffs, every matchup counts, and extending their winning streak to seven games marked this performance as notable.
Meanwhile, for Memphis, this game served as another test of their resolve after previously being ousted from playoff contention last season. Coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned post-game the importance of fine-tuning aspects of the game, particularly rebounding and minimizing turnovers, which have plagued the Grizzlies during matches against top teams.
Even with their loss, the Grizzlies will need to regroup quickly, as the playoff race tightens. With stars like Morant and Jackson leading the way, they remain poised to contend but must tackle physical teams effectively to make gains against them.
Overall, the matchup was thrilling and certainly set the stage for what’s to come for both teams. While Memphis has shown much promise this season, they will need to learn quickly from this encounter as they continue their pursuit for playoff success.