CLEVELAND — The NBA often leaks portions of its schedule early, such as the Christmas Day lineup, but this year the league kept one much-anticipated matchup under lock and key until the official release of the 82-game slate Monday night.

Well, fear not, because the annual series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies that has been around since the Grizzlies entered the league in Vancouver in 1995 will continue for another year.

“I’m thrilled,” said Cavs season ticket holder Brent Parker of Parma. “Seeing Memphis is one of the games I look forward to every year, but they really had me worrying until I saw them on the schedule [Monday] night.”

Not only will the Grizzlies visit Cleveland on December 2, but the Cavs will then travel to the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll on February 23 for a rematch.

Of course, most people are instantly reminded of the Cavs’ trip to Memphis during the 2012-13 season when Dion Waiters’ game-high 15 points weren’t enough in a 84-78 loss in which the Cavs scored nine points in the fourth quarter. Fans of both teams and the sport as a whole can only hope this year’s edition is half as exciting.