You never hear anyone say “possible NBA Finals preview” when the Memphis Grizzlies face the Cleveland Cavaliers. But you can’t rule out Sunday’s clash in Cleveland from being just that.

The Cavaliers own the best record in the NBA, and Memphis has the second-best mark in the West. It would be refreshing. Plus, nobody is clamoring for a Boston Celtics vs. a Dallas Mavericks rematch without Luka Doncic. Repeat—no one.

Jordan Binnington could return to the net for the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, so does the American crowd give a hero’s salute to one of Canada’s heroes in the 4 Nations Face-Off? We’re guessing they will settle for a top-flight performance against the Colorado Avalanche.

The MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy open their season against expansion San Diego FC, and there’s literally no buzz. OK, so soccer isn’t football, but does the champs’ first match have to be as quiet as curling or jai alai?

Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland has won six straight games and 10 of its last 11, coming off an eye-opening 142-105 rout of the visiting New York Knicks. The 37-point win is only the Cavaliers’ second-biggest beatdown of the month—they lambasted the Mavericks 144-101 on Feb. 2.

Cleveland is 26-4 at home, so who needs LeBron James anyway? Not this edition of the Cavs. There is nobody playing hero ball on this team. Star guard Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24 points per game—his lowest since 2019-20 with the Utah Jazz—but remains an eager passer.

Speaking of passers, Ja Morant of the Grizzlies is liable to toss a dazzling assist at any moment but isn’t always an efficient shooter. Morant is 1-for-15 from 3-point range over his past three appearances. He did score 23 points in Friday’s 105-104 win over the Orlando Magic.

All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. blocked a shot to seal that victory over Orlando. Jackson, Morant and Desmond Bane are a winning trio, and they should be able to cover the spread in this matchup.

Grizzlies +5.5, -115 (DraftKings)

Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues

Binnington has received criticism this season for a below-average campaign, but who will forget that overtime save to keep Canada alive before its win over the U.S.? This is the same guy who constantly came up big while helping the Blues win the 2019 Stanley Cup title.

How do you measure the carryover from that epic high on Thursday to just another NHL regular-season game? Well, he gave up five goals in his last NHL start. This could go either way—possibly depending on whether he is emotionally ready.

The Avalanche scored four first-period goals in a 5-0 home win over the Blues on Jan. 31, but Joel Hofer was in net, not Binnington. Jonathan Drouin had two goals and one assist in that contest.

Colorado lost 2-1 to the Nashville Predators on Saturday, with Sam Malinski scoring the lone goal. The Blues are just 2-6-1 over their last nine games after losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Hofer was in net.

Over 5.5 goals, -130 (DraftKings)

San Diego FC at Los Angeles Galaxy

It’s a tough assignment for an expansion team to open against the defending MLS champions. Yet that’s exactly what San Diego FC is facing as it squares off against a talented Galaxy squad that parted ways with Dejan Joveljic (five postseason goals) and Gaston Brugman (MLS Cup MVP) after winning the title.

Star midfielder Riqui Puig (major knee surgery) is sidelined, and he typically seems to be everywhere on the pitch. Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec will carry the attack, along with trade acquisition Christian Ramirez (Columbus Crew).

San Diego has a big-time attraction in Chucky Lozano, a Mexican national team star who figures to help attendance at a stadium just 20 miles from the border. Midfielder Luca de la Torre, a San Diego native, also figures to make a solid impact.

But can an expansion team be well-oiled enough to slay the defending champs? Maybe later in the season, but not now.

Over 3.5 goals, +115 (DraftKings)