On Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks (21-44, currently 7th in the “Loser for Boozer” race) are set to play basketball once more, an event that could be either encouraging or disheartening, depending on your perspective. This particular matchup continues their road trip in Memphis, where the Grizzlies (23-41, 8th in the “Down for Darryn” standings) await. Much like their competitors in this unique competition, both the Mavs and Grizz are enduring prolonged losing streaks; Dallas has lost eight consecutive games, while Memphis has dropped five in a row and eight of their last ten outings.
Tonight, one of these teams will inevitably suffer a hard-fought defeat, while the other will be left monitoring their position to ensure they don’t slip further as the season enters its final phase. Embrace the excitement—it’s high-stakes March basketball! Here are a few points to consider regarding this game.
Dallas’s recent struggles can largely be attributed to their truly dismal defense. Since February 1st, their defensive rating, according to Cleaning the Glass, places them 24th in the NBA, allowing an alarming 121.1 points per 100 possessions. This poor defensive performance has resulted in the 4th worst net rating during that period, trailing only teams like Indiana and Sacramento. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, fare only slightly better, ranking 26th in defensive rating over the identical timeframe.
Offense could emerge as the pivotal element in this matchup. Since February 1st, the Grizzlies boast a top-ten offensive rating, averaging 118.2 points per 100 possessions. In contrast, the Mavericks rank a lowly 28th during the same span, managing only 109.0 points per 100 possessions.
Such is the luxury of not owning your own draft pick. Since Joe Dumars unwisely sent away their first-round selection this year for Derik Queen, the Pelicans can afford to be oblivious to the current tanking frenzy surrounding other teams.
Amidst a league of teams aiming for high draft picks, the Pelicans are actively competing and winning. Kudos to them! Following their victory against Toronto on Wednesday, they have now drawn level with the Mavericks in the “Dybantsa Derby” standings.
On that note, if you’re interested in our NBA Draft previews for the various conference tournaments, now’s the perfect moment to check them out! Jack and I covered the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC. I may be partial, but I truly believe these are essential reading for any Mavericks supporter as we approach the postseason.
Indeed, This Game Holds Significant Stakes
Given the strength of this upcoming draft class, every “ping pong ball” game carries weight. With both these teams positioned closely on the tanking ladder, the outcome of this particular match is crucial for both. Currently, eighth-place Memphis trails Dallas (in seventh) by 2.5 games. However, a victory for Dallas on Thursday would narrow that gap to just 1.5 games with 16 remaining. More significantly, it would place the Mavericks only two wins behind Utah for fifth place on the table, a position that suddenly seems achievable.
Conversely, should the outcome be reversed, Dallas would suddenly gain a 3.5-game cushion for their current standing, a deficit that would be exceedingly difficult for challengers to overcome. Simultaneously, they would likely draw even with New Orleans and remain within a single game of the fifth spot in the table. This promises to be a fierce contest, and the Mavericks require a positive result on Thursday to maintain their strategic position.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 p.m. CT from the FedEx Forum in Memphis. Local coverage will be provided by KFAA Channel 29 and Mavs TV. I’d suggest being well-prepared if you plan to endure all 48 minutes of this encounter.