Mavericks Cool Down Red Hot Grizzlies

Luka Doncic had a triple double (27 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 112-85 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis January 14th. Six other Mavericks scored in double figures as well as Dallas (23-19) put an end to the Grizzlies’ 11 game winning streak.

Memphis was probably due for an off game having won those 11 in a row, but the Grizzlies are a rising power in the NBA Western Conference. At the conclusion of play January 14th, Memphis was 30-15 and in third place in the Western Conference, behind Phoenix (32-9) and Golden State (31-11). They also lead the Southwest Division by 5 ½ games over Dallas. Memphis floundered around with sub .500 records from the 2017-18 through the 2019-20 seasons before finishing 38-34 last year and making the playoffs as the #8 seed in the West, falling to the Utah Jazz in the first round.

Memphis doesn’t have a lot of household names on its roster—yet—with the exception of Ja Morant. The third year point guard out of Murray State is averaging 24.4 points and 6.8 assists per game this season. He scored a season high 36 points at Brooklyn in a 118-104 win on January 3rd. But, like Morant, there are a lot of up and coming younger players contributing to the Grizzlies’ success, with forwards Dillon Books, and Jaren Jackson, Jr. plus guard Desmond Bane all averaging in double figures in scoring. Veteran center Steven Adams is averaging 9.3 rebounds per game.

Memphis may not yet have enough depth and experience to finish ahead of Phoenix and Golden State in the long NBA season, but a top three or four finish in the West is certainly a possibility.