Cleveland Cavaliers: J.R. Smith Finally Arrives Against Memphis Grizzlies

The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the winning streak of the Memphis Grizzlies at six games as they won, 103-86. Is Tyronn Lue making the best decision resting his starters for Wednesday’s game?

That three-game losing streak seems to be a thing of the past for the Cleveland Cavaliers now, huh?

The Cavs have won their last five games after losing to the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 3. They look like they’re in mid-season form, and LeBron James has been playing on another level.

It could be motivation from the people saying he’s lost  a step, or isn’t the same player, but I haven’t seen him play at this level since last postseason.Anytime a player is setting a record in almost every game, it’s definitely their year.

The Memphis Grizzlies were without Marc Gasol due to rest. They’re a young and scrappy team that is relentless on the defensive side of the ball.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Cleveland Cavaliers

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

• Latest intel calls Donovan Mitchell’s future with the Cavs into question
• 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year
• Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing the Max Strus acquisition
• Ranking the 5 best available shooting guards in 2023 NBA free agency
• NBA Rumors: Cavs have secret weapon to lure LeBron back to Cleveland

Most thought that without Chandler Parsons, who is out with a bruised knee, and Mike Conley, out with a bad back, it would be a tough season, but they have been one of the better teams in the Western Conference.

On every play, they were physical and in the face of every Cavaliers player. Every shot taken by the Cavs was earned.

DeAndre Liggins started in his second game of the season due to coach Tyronn Lue giving Kyrie Irving rest on the home-and-away game with the Grizzlies. He’s impressing me with each game he plays.

The Grizzlies have Tony Allen, the Cavs have Liggins. He reminds me of Matthew Dellavedova, but in his own way. Liggins doesn’t have the three-point shooting or passing ability of Dellavedova yet, but he shows some of his intangibles within each contest.

However, the biggest positive was the game J.R. Smith had. He had a season-high in points at 23. He went 6-for-10 from three-point range, and played with the most confidence I’ve seen this season.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

After his fourth made three-point shot, he passed Dale Ellis on the all-time three-point shooting list. He’s now 14th with 1,719 shots.

He finally looked comfortable anywhere on the court. It’s the one spot that was missing from the team. When the Big 3 are having their good games, that extra scorer wasn’t there for assurance. If Smith has finally found his game, this team might be unbeatable.

That might bold well for Mike Dunleavy, who didn’t play in the game. He still hasn’t played at the level most Cavs fans expected, but if Smith can turn it around, he’ll be able too as well.

As the adage goes for all shooters, keep shooting.

The Cavs were without the Big 3 in Wednesday’s game. It was one of the rest games that Lue talked about during the preseason.  They have another home-and-away game coming up against the Milwaukee Bucks next week.

Lue will probably rest some players during those games as well. Fans in general might not agree with it, but the big picture is the playoffs. As I mentioned in one of my previous articles, the San Antonio Spurs have used this method for years and it’s helped them get five titles.

Next: NBA Injuries: 20 Stars That Deserve Career Do-Overs

The uproar was fierce on Wednesday with the Big 3 not playing, but if fans want to see them, they should hope their team makes the postseason or the NBA Finals.