Cavaliers at Grizzlies
The new-look Cleveland Cavaliers got off to a bumpy start when the season resumed following the All-Star break. Cleveland looks for a better showing when it visits the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, one night after suffering a 110-103 home loss against Washington.
The Cavaliers added four new players at the trade deadline in hopes of sparking a sprint to the finish, but their four-game winning streak was halted by the Wizards. All-Star LeBron James scored 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, but Cleveland barely reached 100 after averaging 126 during the string of wins. The Grizzlies have lost seven straight games and nine of their last 10 as they try to upset the revamped Cavaliers. "It doesn't have that superstar next to (James), especially now with Kevin Love being out (with an injury)," Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters of Cleveland. "But it has a bunch of really good players who understand the pecking order and can play really well off him. He sees a young core of guys who have huge capabilities and potential, and he can make those guys even better."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (34-23): None of the quartet of newcomers reached double digits in points against Washington, with Jordan Clarkson (nine) producing the highest output. Swingman Rodney Hood scored eight points while Larry Nance Jr. and George Hill each contributed six, with the latter going a porous 2-for-10 from the field. "Like I told you guys, it's still a work in progress with us," James told reporters. "It's not going to be overnight, no matter the excitement before the break. We got a lot of things to work on, implement what we need to do."
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-38): Memphis may be on track to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10, but the players are revving up to put on a show against Cleveland. "You always want to play the good teams because you want to show your city that you can compete against the best teams, and you want to make your city proud," center Marc Gasol told reporters. "Obviously, they're a well-known team that's been to the Finals many, many years, and we can learn things from them, obviously. And that's what you hope for." Tyreke Evans stood out in this campaign's first meeting with the Cavaliers as he scored 31 points and matched his season best of 12 assists in the 116-111 loss.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. James recorded 34 points and 12 assists in the Cavaliers' win over the Grizzlies on Dec. 2.
2. Cleveland C Tristan Thompson went 6-for-7 from the field on Thursday and is a torrid 32-for-44 in this month.
3. Memphis SG Wayne Selden (knee) could miss his third consecutive game.