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You knew it was coming at some point.
Marc Gasol will miss the front end of the Memphis Grizzlies home and home back to back Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to multiple reports including Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies Grind City Media.
Marc Gasol will sit out Tuesday's game in Cleveland for rest. He didn't make the trip. Gasol was named Western Conference player of the week
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) December 13, 2016
Marc Gasol (maintenance) is resting on his laurels for Tues game at Cleveland. The Western Conference Player of the Week has been ruled OUT
— Ronald Tillery (@CAGrizBeat) December 13, 2016
#Grizzlies center and reigning West player of week Marc Gasol (rest) out Tuesday at #Cavs.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) December 13, 2016
It is easy to forget, given how well Gasol has played, that he is indeed coming off of a pretty serious foot injury from not even a year ago. The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week leads the Grizzlies in minutes played to this point in the season at 810 and has played over 210 minutes over the course of the Grizzlies current six-game winning streak.
He will surely be missed in Cleveland as Memphis looks to knock off the Cleveland Cavaliers, but considering that Memphis will see these same Cavs in FedExForum Wednesday night this is the most logical way to rest Gasol. He simply means too much to the Grizzlies, especially with Mike Conley out until mid-January at the earliest, to allow to wear down due to excessive minutes.
Stick with GBB as the NBA season grinds on.