Game: Memphis Grizzlies @ Dallas Mavericks
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Grizzlies -1, Mavericks +1
Total: 224.5
Two of the best players in the NBA will not be in action tonight when the Memphis Grizzlies (40-26 SU, 31-33-2 ATS) and Dallas Mavericks (34-34, 24-41-3) meet tonight at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. This is the second part of a home-and-home series that was won by Memphis 112-108 on Saturday. Memphis guard Ja Morant and Mavs’ star Luka Doncic are both out for tonight’s game.
On Saturday, the Grizzlies came back to defeat the Mavericks thanks in large part to a career-high 24-point performance by David Roddy, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter. Ja Morant missed his fourth consecutive game due to a suspension, but Desmond Bane scored 25 for the Grizzlies.
Memphis has managed to split two games without Morant. Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been carrying the offensive load, but they will need some help to make up for Morant’s absence. With Morant out, Tyus Jones has been inserted into the starting lineup and will need to be a crucial component of the offense. He has scored 20 or more points in two of the four games without Morant. Jones is averaging 18.5 points per game overall.
The Mavericks suffered their second consecutive defeat on Saturday as they played without Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Josh Green led Dallas with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jaden Hardy added 22 and Tim Hardaway Jr. was the top Dallas scorer with 23 points.
Doncic (thigh) has already been ruled out, while Irving (foot) is listed as questionable. Prior to getting hurt, Irving was on fire, averaging 32.5 points per game over his previous four. That included three games with at least 30 points. He and Doncic typically combine for more than half of the Mavericks’ scoring. With Doncic out, the Mavs need Irving in the lineup tonight.
Dallas started out as a 3.5-point home favorite, which makes sense given the fact that Memphis has only won once in its last 12 road games. The Grizzlies have really been struggling on defense giving up 116.3 points per game, which is about five points more than their average allowed for the season. The Memphis offense has picked up the slack. Even without Morant, the Grizzlies are averaging 118.8 points per game. With Doncic and possibly Irving out of the lineup tonight, the Memphis defense may have a shot at slowing down Dallas
Despite having one of the greatest players in the league in Doncic, Dallas has struggled all season and will need to find a way to improve without him. In their two games without Doncic, the Mavs have averaged just 107 points, which likely won’t be enough to beat the Grizzlies.
Besides Doncic and Irving, Dallas doesn’t have a lot of offensive firepower. Next up comes Hardaway, who averages 14.4 points per game, but he has scored 20 or more in three of his last four games.
The Under is 5-1 in their previous six meetings and the Mavs are 4-1 in their last five against the Grizzlies. Memphis is 0-5 ATS in its last five against the Mavs.
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