Entering Monday night’s NBA slate, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves tracking for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. With the playoffs approaching, head coach Kenny Atkinson’s crew is one game behind the Boston Celtics but four up on the Atlanta Hawks.
As visiting favorites against the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:00 p.m. ET, Cleveland is making a big-time decision regarding its star backcourt of PG James Harden and SG Donovan Mitchell.
Here’s the latest Cavaliers injury update, including news on Harden and Mitchell that could have a major impact on PrizePicks player projections for Cavs vs. Grizzlies on Monday.
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Cavaliers Injuries: James Harden & Donovan Mitchell Ruled Out
Per the official NBA injury report for Monday, both Harden (personal reasons) and Mitchell (ankle) will miss Monday’s game in Memphis as the Cavs chase their 50th win.
It’s been a heck of a season for Harden, now in his 17th NBA campaign. The 11-time All-Star is averaging 23.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game in 68 contests, although those outings include his time with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Since coming over from L.A. at the NBA trade deadline, "The Beard" has stepped his game up. In 24 games as a Cavalier, he’s averaged 20.5 PPG on 48.1% shooting from the field and 44.0% from deep. He’s dealt with a broken thumb as of late but played in each of the team’s last 17 games anyway.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is enjoying perhaps the best season of his professional tenure. In 69 games, his 27.8 PPG marks a new career high, and he’s doing that on 48.1% shooting from the field and 36.4% on 3-pointers.
Both Harden and Mitchell have already played enough to cross over the NBA’s 65-game threshold and be eligible for season awards.
Elsewhere, C Thomas Bryant (calf), SF Max Strus (foot), SG Jaylon Tyson (toe), and PF Dean Wade (ankle) are also out for Cleveland on Monday.
Which Cavaliers Players to Target Without Harden & Mitchell?
Under normal circumstances, someone like Tyson could be relied upon to step up without Harden and Mitchell active. With him banged up, too, the duo of guard Dennis Schroder and wing Sam Merrill might be the next men up.
Schroder, another in-season pickup, has poured in 7.9 PPG on 38.8% shooting in 27 games with the Cavaliers. He’s got 440 games of starting experience under his belt, just below 50% of his overall total as a pro.
Merrill, now in year No. 4 with Cleveland, is averaging career-high marks for minutes (26.4), shot attempts (9.4), points (12.7), rebounds (2.1), and assists (2.6). The former second-round pick is coming into his own, even while nursing a minor hamstring injury as of late.
According to databallr, Merrill’s usage rate climbs by 4.2% in 805 minutes without Harden, and he scores 5.2 more points per 75 possessions. Without Mitchell, those figures are 1.4% and 2.8, respectively.
Sam Merrill vs. Grizzlies Projections, Picks
Here are some top Sam Merrill projections vs. the Grizzlies tonight, via PrizePicks.
- 12.5 Points
- 2.5 Rebounds (Goblin)
- 2.5 Assists (Goblin)
- 19.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 0.5 Steals
- And More
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Make Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies Picks on PrizePicks
As the Cavaliers take on the Grizzlies, they’re severely shorthanded. Despite that, there are still plenty of Cleveland vs. Memphis player and team projections to consider.
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