5 Cavs games that jump out in second half of 2022-23 season

Key Cavs game No. 2 of second half: Versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, Feb. 2 @ 7:30 PM

Secondly, we have Cleveland’s matchup against one an up-and-coming contender in Memphis, who was the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season. The Grizzlies unfortunately lost Ja Morant pretty early on in their series to the eventual NBA champs in the Golden State Warriors, which was disappointing for them, but their future seems very bright.

The Cavs lost two close games to Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Memphis last year; this next go-round, I’d look out for two great games between the clubs again in the season’s second half.

By this point in the season, I’d think the Cavaliers could look a bit different, say if there’s a potential trade, say involving Caris LeVert, who is currently set to be expiring, for one. Kevin Love could be a possible trade candidate, as he’s set to be expiring too; I do expect him to stick around, anyhow. We’ll have to see what plays out for both, also in regards to extensions.

In this matchup, anyway, with the Cavs getting national shine, it’ll be fascinating to see Garland go head-to-head some with Morant, and both sides could seemingly go back and forth a bunch as far as deep shooting. Lauri Markkanen, Desmond Bane, Jackson, and several others could get into the act a bunch here, for instance.

Plus, in this one, I’ll be curious to see if both benches can give their clubs a lift in the bright lights here. It could in the grand scheme come down to if players such as Rubio, Tyus Jones and/or Ochai Agbaji can have a true imprint.

With plenty of notable young guys here, it should live up to the hype.