Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Dallas Mavericks: Predictions, Starting Lineups (1/9/24)
Can the Memphis Grizzlies string together an unlikely third consecutive road win in Dallas? Take a look at our Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks prediction, betting picks, and projected starting lineups for both teams, as Ja Morant has been ruled out for the remainder of the year.
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction
Can it get worse for the Memphis Grizzlies? Injuries have since piled on after beginning the season without Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and Ja Morant.
Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Xavier Tillman, and Derrick Rose have all missed substantial time this season. Meanwhile, Morant just returned from a 25-game suspension and injured his shoulder after merely nine games; he has been ruled out for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign.
Even Santi Aldama is listed as doubtful, with a knee contusion that could keep him out for a few games. The rest of this season looks grim for Memphis Grizzlies fans, and this game will likely follow suit. Dallas has Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving back in the mix for this game, which gives the Mavericks plenty of firepower to blow past this Memphis defense.
The Mavs have played Memphis three times this season and are 2-1; however, Luka Doncic was out for their only loss. With Doncic, Dallas is 2-0 and has won by an average of 11 points while boasting a shooting split of 50/46/81 as a team. Further, Dallas has won four of its past five games and has the sixth-highest net rating in that span.
While Memphis has been playing much better ball recently, it is hard to imagine it staying close to the Mavs on the road with the Morant news just dropping. The Grizzlies don’t match up all that well with Dallas either; they allow the sixth-highest three-point percentage to opponents overall and the third-highest field-goal percentage between 20 and 24 feet.
Additionally, Memphis allows the fifth-most wide-open (6+ feet) three-point attempts to opponents. This is a bad matchup for Memphis, who is playing against a team that shoots the second-most three-point attempts per game.
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction: Mavericks -8.5 (-112)
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Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Dallas Mavericks Best Odds
With the news that Ja Morant will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 regular season, the Memphis Grizzlies enter this road matchup against Dallas as huge 8.5-point underdogs. The Mavericks have Moneyline odds of -360, while Memphis is a +285 dog to win its third straight road game outright on Tuesday night. The point total rests at 235, indicating an up-tempo game, which makes sense considering the Dallas Mavericks rank eighth in the NBA in pace.
Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Vince Williams Jr.
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: Xavier Tillman Sr
Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Kyrie Irving
SF: Josh Green
PF: Grant Williams
C: Dwight Powell
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Dallas Mavericks Injuries
Nothing has changed for Memphis, as it will have a laundry list of injuries. The Grizzlies will be without Ja Morant (shoulder) for the rest of the 2023-24 season, while Steven Adams (knee), Brandon Clarke (Achilles), Santi Aldama (knee), and Derrick Rose (knee) will also be sidelined. Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed as questionable due to a minor knee injury, so don’t be surprised if he were to be a late scratch.
Dallas will be without a few key rotational players, too. The Mavericks will miss Dante Exum (heel), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Maxi Kleber (toe.) Additionally, Luka Doncic is listed as day-to-day, but it would be surprising to see him scratched before tip-off, especially in a game that can help close the gap in the Western Conference and inch the Mavs closer to fourth place.
