Cavs score, recap vs Grizzlies | Cavaliers triumph on national TV, earn 7th win in a row

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Cavs score, recap vs Grizzlies | Cavaliers triumph on national TV, earn 7th win in a row

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Sun, Feb 23, 2025 ·

7 min read

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CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers recently dominated a top-tier Eastern Conference opponent on national TV and then replicated the success Sunday night against one of the better Western Conference teams.

The NBA-leading Cavs (47-10) secured their seventh consecutive win, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 129-123 under the ESPN spotlight at Rocket Arena . With the network's cameras present Friday night, Cleveland defeated the New York Knicks by 37 points. The Knicks (37-20) are third in the East standings, and the Grizzlies (37-20) are tied for second in the West.

Cleveland outrebounded Memphis 57-37, including 22-12 on the offensive end of the floor. The Cavs recorded a season best with 22 offensive rebounds.

Here is how the first of two meetings this season between the Cavs and Grizzlies unfolded through our updates :

Cleveland Cavaliers column: A chip on the Cavs' collective shoulder? Evan Mobley's face of NBA mindset? Playoff rotation? Kenny Atkinson is on it

Cavs defeat Grizzlies 129-123

Small forward Max Strus made a dagger 3-pointer with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter, giving the Cavs a 122-114 lead.

Then All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell threw down a dunk for an exclamation point and a 124-116 cushion with 1:18 remaining.

The Grizzlies didn't stop clawing, though. They cut the Cavs' lead to 124-121 when forward Jaren Jackson Jr. produced a three-point play after center Jarrett Allen fouled him with 42.4 seconds left.

Mitchell drew a foul against Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and made one of two free throws with 27.2 seconds remaining, boosting Cleveland's lead to 125-121 but also giving Memphis a glimmer of hope. However, Jackson missed two foul shots with 23.4 seconds, and Cleveland held on for the victory.

Mitchell finished with a game-high 26 points, and Cavs backup guard Ty Jerome scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter.

All-Star forward Evan Mobley flirted with a triple-double, compiling 25 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a highly anticipated matchup with Jackson, a fellow NBA Defensive Player of the Year favorite.

Jackson led the Grizzlies with 22 points, followed by guard Ja Morant with 21 points.

Ty Jerome catches fire vs. Grizzlies, and Cavs lead 118-109 with 2:54 left in the fourth quarter

The Cavs led the Grizzlies 118-109 with 2:54 left in the fourth quarter.

And at this stage, Jerome had 14 of his 25 points in the final quarter. Jerome has never previously scored this many points in any fourth quarter of his NBA career.

Cavs take 101-92 lead vs. Grizzlies with 9:14 left in the fourth quarter

Does Jerome play guard for the Cavs or free safety for an NFL team? Jerome intercepted a pass from Grizzlies big man Zach Edey and drained a 3-pointer in transition with 9:49 left in the fourth quarter.

Then with 9:14 remaining, guard Sam Merrill nailed a corner 3 on an assist by Mobley. The basket elevated the Cavs to a 101-92 advantage and influenced a Memphis timeout.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 23, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cavs lead Grizzlies 93-88 at the end of the third quarter after Donovan Mitchell, Desmond Bane scuffle

Well, the game got really interesting when Mitchell and Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane tussled for the ball and a scuffle broke out with 7:28 left in the third quarter.

Mitchell had a game-high 27 points entering the fourth quarter.

Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells had a team-high 14 points through three quarters.

More on Cavs-Grizzlies scuffle: Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell, Grizzlies' Desmond Bane battle for ball

Cavs lead Grizzlies 62-56 at halftime

Strus drained a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to lift the Cavs to a 62-56 hafltime lead.

With 7.4 seconds left, the Grizzlies committed a shot clock violation. Then Mitchell dished out an assist to Strus, who made an open 3 from the left wing.

Three Cavs players scored in double figures in the first half: Mitchell with 22 points, Mobley with 13 and wing De'Andre Hunter with 10.

Guard Luke Kennard led the Grizzlies with 11 points in the first half. Morant added 10 points for Memphis.

Cavs lead Grizzlies 46-42 with 6:52 left in the second quarter

Mitchell made a jump shot with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter, giving the Cavs a 46-42 edge and compelling the Grizzlies to use a timeout.

With All-Star point guard Darius Garland (hip contusion) sitting out, Mitchell took an aggressive approach from the start. So far, he has a game-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field (3 of 6 on 3-pointers).

Cavs lead Grizzlies 33-29 at the end of the first quarter

The Cavs dominated the Grizzlies on the glass in the first quarter, earning a 21-7 advantage in rebounding. Cleveland led 33-29 at the end of the first quarter.

Mitchell had 12 points though a quarter, followed by Mobley with 10 points.

Morant led the Grizzlies with eight points.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) on Feb. 23, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cavs crush Grizzlies in rebounding during the first quarter

Allen wore equipment on his right hand to support his sprained index finger, but it didn't stopped him from battling on the boards.

The Cavs led the Grizzlies 27-20 during a Memphis timeout with 2:08 left in the first quarter, and Cleveland had a 19-7 rebounding advantage. Allen was one of four Cavs players with three rebounds at this point, and Mobley led the team with five rebounds.

Allen finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes.

Cavs lead Grizzlies 21-17 with 4:51 left in the first quarter

Offensive rebounds by Allen and Strus kept a Cavs possession alive and resulted in an acrobatic layup by Mitchell on an assist from Hunter. The sequence resulted in the Grizzlies taking timeout with 4:51 left in the first quarter and trailing the Cavs 21-17.

Mitchell had a game-high 12 points at this juncture.

Cavs lead Grizzlies 13-12 with 7:13 left in the first quarter as Donovan Mitchell, Ja Morant trade 3-pointers early

Mitchell made 3-pointers on consecutive Cavs possessions to give Cleveland an 11-6 lead with 8:50 left in the opening quarter.

However, Morant answered by making back-to-back 3-pointers to prompt a Cavs timeout with 7:13 left in the first quarter. Cleveland held a 13-12 lead.

Here is some pregame information:

Cavs injury report: Darius Garland ruled out, Jarrett Allen is available

The Cavs ruled out Garland (left hip contusion), but Allen (right index finger sprain) played after they both were listed as questionable to face the Grizzlies. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson provided an update about Garland after the game.

Garland and Allen suffered the injuries against the Knicks. Garland also smacked his face on the court while falling late in the second quarter. He finished the game. Allen exited in the third quarter and did not return.

With Garland idle, Isaac Okoro entered the Cavs' starting lineup, joining Allen, Mobley, Strus and Mitchell.

More Cavs injury news: Darius Garland ruled out, but Jarrett Allen plays vs. Grizzlies

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles during a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 20, 2025, in Brooklyn.

Cleveland Cavaliers sign Javonte Green

On Sunday, the Cavs announced they signed Javonte Green , completing their pursuit of the veteran wing they sought on the NBA's buyout market. He joined the Cavs for shootaround Sunday morning.

Green agreed last week to a contract buyout with the New Orleans Pelicans and then cleared waivers.

Cavaliers news: Cleveland Cavs sign Javonte Green after he cleared waivers following Pelicans contract buyout

What is the history between the Cavs and Grizzlies?

The Cavs are now 35-21 in their all-time series with the Grizzlies. Cleveland has won four consecutive clashes.

This season, the Cavs are 16-3 against teams from the West and 27-4 at home.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell looks to throw a pass against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 20, 2025, in Brooklyn.

Cleveland Cavaliers broadcast information. How can I watch on TV, listen on radio or stream the Cavs, Grizzlies game?

Sunday's game was televised nationally by ESPN and locally by the FanDuel Sports Network . It could be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM) and WTAM (1100-AM).

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs score vs Memphis Grizzlies recap, highlights

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