A couple of streaks are on the line tonight at the FedExForum as the Memphis Grizzlies enter their second matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a four-game winning streak. On the reverse side, the Cavaliers enter tonight's matchup on a 15-game winning streak, including beating the Grizzlies in their first game on February 23rd in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers' 15-game winning streak is also tied for their longest in franchise history, and they currently have a 10-game road winning streak. With that level of competition coming into town, the Grizzlies need all hands on deck to avoid the season sweep and continue their winning streak.
Top reserve forward Santi Aldama was ruled out as he continues to nurse a calf strain that will cause him to miss his fourth straight game and sixth of the Grizzlies' last seven games overall. However, after missing Memphis' last five games (basically six because he only played 1:39 in the game he suffered the injury) with an ankle sprain, Jaren Jackson Jr. was listed as questionable ahead of tonight's huge matchup.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is available to return vs the Cleveland Cavaliers
After star guard Ja Morant responded to a question about anticipating Jaren Jackson Jr.'s return to the lineup by saying "I can't wait," his dream became a reality the very next game as Jackson Jr. is available to play. While the Grizzlies have survived his missing production with a four-game winning streak, the level of competition wasn't the level of what they will face tonight.
The Grizzlies have missed their star forward's defensive presence as opponents have been attacking and getting anything they want at the rim without the former Defensive Player of the Year winner. Also, although the offense has been producing effectively, the shots have been tough to come by without their leading scorer.
Ja Morant and Desmond Bane have tag-teamed to keep the Grizzlies above water enough to avoid upsets at the hands of lesser competition but against the team with the NBA's best record coming they needed the third of their big three. The Grizzlies' last loss came to the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in Jaren's first full game out with the ankle sprain.
Their 17-point defeat showed that Jaren Jackson Jr.'s ability to get easier buckets for the team was severely missed as they struggled to score, leading to their lowest point total of the season in their 120-103 loss. Jaren Jackson Jr. will slot back into the starting power forward position with a chance to gain ground in the Defensive Player of the Year race against the Cavaliers' Evan Mobley.