The Memphis Grizzlies have the third-best record in the NBA, but they haven’t looked like the third-best team in quite a while. Injuries have played their part, including one to starting point guard Mike Conley, who’s missed the last handful of games with an ankle problem. The Dallas Mavericks know the effect injuries can have, and they’re currently experiencing the boost of having a star player back with the return of Chandler Parsons.
The two Western Conference powerhouses now collide for a preview of what could be a possible first-round playoff series. Can the shorthanded Grizzlies up their game against the surging Mavs? Read on for our preview below.
It’s another busy Friday night in the Association. Check out our preview of arguably the most exciting game of the night in the Hawks vs. Thunder.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Friday, March 20, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies’ road woes continued as they lost 105-95 to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. The Grizzlies are now just 1-4 in their last five games away from home, although they were without their top three scorers – Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley – for their loss at Washington on March 12.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Grizzlies were without starting point guard Conley for the fourth consecutive game at Detroit as he continues to rest up his injured ankle. Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes have been serviceable during their spell as the point guard platoon. They’ve combined for an average of 18 points and eight assists in the four games without Conley.
The Grizzlies have been banged up in recent weeks, and haven’t exactly been playing their best basketball of the season. They’re just 8-7 in their last 15 games and 5-10 against the spread, but four of those wins came on the road against likely playoff teams in the Bulls, Rockets, Clippers and Blazers. A matchup against the slowly improving Mavericks could be another game that the Grizzlies can get up for.
With Conley possibly still out, expect the Grizzlies to pound it into their big men as often as possible. Gasol and Randolph have a significant physical advantage over the Mavs’ frontline, which they used to score 47 total points in their first meeting, a 114-105 Grizzlies win, in December. The Grizzlies as a team scored 52 points in the paint compared to just 26 for the Mavs.
Betting on the Dallas Mavericks
The long-awaited return of Chandler Parsons has done the Dallas Mavericks a lot of good. The Mavs, who had gone 1-4 in the five games prior to Parsons’ return, are 4-1 in five games with him back in the lineup. Parsons is averaging 20.5 points and making three three-pointers per game at a 60 percent clip in those five games.
The trademark Mavs offense as a whole has taken off with Parsons back. They’re averaging 110 points per game in their last five, including 129 in a win over the Clippers on March 13. Leading scorers Monta Ellis (19.2 points per game) and Dirk Nowitzki (17.3) have put up back-to-back 20-point performances in wins over Oklahoma City (119-115) and Orlando (107-102).
Even Rajon Rondo looks like he’s finally finding his place in the offense. He’s recorded double-digit assists in consecutive games after going over 20 games without recording a single 10-plus assist game. Rondo should look to continue his improved play by attacking Memphis’ stand-in point guards, who allowed Reggie Jackson to record 20 assists in the Grizzlies’ loss to Detroit.
The Mavs have won three straight games at home. They are now 8-2 in their last 10 home games, but are just 5-4-1 against the spread.
Writer’s Prediction
The Grizzlies grind the Mavs’ winning run to a halt as they gut out a hard-fought road win and cover. Find the guts to create a betting account now and get rewarded for some bold NBA picks.
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