MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — The Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 114-113, securing their 30th win of the season. This game was crucial to the Mavericks hopes of having a chance of reaching the 6th seed and had the feeling of a true playoff game.
The Mavericks had a surprising start to the first quarter on offense against a team that has been well rounded on defense throughout the entire season, but tonight was much different from their previous 4 outings. Dallas’s bench was the difference maker and Tim Hardaway Jr was the gear that kept grinding. Tim Hardaway Jr scored 9 points on converted on 4 out 5 of his first quarter shot attempts and finished the quarter leading his team in points and the Mavericks bench scored 13 points in the first quarter.
The area the Mavericks struggled most was in the paint and gave up double digit points in the paint. Plus, Grayson Allen who has averaged 10 points this season scored 14 first quarter points and knocked down 3 three pointers in the first quarter. The Mavericks finished the first quarter trailing the Grizzlies by 2 points which isn’t a large gap to overcome but the Mavericks record when trailing the opposing team at the end of the first quarter is what Dallas has been most consistent at all season.
The Mavericks bench rose to the occasion again in the second quarter scoring early hustle points and stops on the defensive end. Luka Doncic found Dwight Powell on an alley oop dunk to start the second quarter leading to a solid performance from Powell scoring the Mavericks first 4 points of the second quarter. Kristaps Porzingis came alive in the second quarter converting on all 3 of his shot attempts from the field draining one of his shots from downtown. Dallas finished the quarter with a better performance from the field but trailed the Grizzlies going into the half 57-60 because of the lead Memphis developed.
The Mavericks finished the first half shooting 51% from the field, better than the Grizzlies 49% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc which has been the tell-tale signs for disaster throughout the season. The three ball is the way of the land in the NBA and poor performances from beyond can be costly and the ultimate separator.
In the third quarter the Mavericks and Pelicans played a tight game and Dallas at one point had a chance to take a lead but the Grizzlies found a way to separate. It was a collective effort from Memphis and they continued to find ways to get their starters and their bench players involved enough to keep the Mavericks offense contained as much as possible and hold on to their lead. Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic accounted for most of the Mavericks points in the third quarter converting on 55% of their shots on 6 out of 11 shot attempts and combined to score 14 points. The rest of the team converted on a low 18% of their shots which played a major part in the Mavericks troubles.
The Mavericks supporting cast found their stride at the right time with Jalen Brunson, Dwight Powell, and JJ Redick scoring the first 9 points of the quarter, chipping away at the Grizzlies lead. Dallas tied the game after two consecutive three pointers by way of Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith with less than 4 minutes to go in the quarter. The Grizzlies in response scored 7 straight points to regain a 5 point lead, but Luka and KP got in their bag to get this team back in the game after knocking down consecutive shots on back to back possessions brought the Grizzlies lead down to 3 points.
Dallas had a chance to score with plenty of time remaining on the clock, but the Grizzlies fouled Doncic sending him to the line. Doncic only knocked down 1 of his free throw attempts bringing the lead to 2, but ironically on the Grizzlies possession Grayson Allen missed both of his free throws and the Mavericks rebounded the ball and immediately called a timeout.
What happened next is nothing short of miraculous. Maxi Kleber inbounded the ball to Luka Doncic who had three defenders on him and miraculously connected on a last ditch effort three point shot with his foot in perfect positioning behind the three point line to shock the Grizzlies at the last second.
After scoring just 4 points in the first half Luka Doncic finished the night with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and led the Mavericks in field goal percentage converting on 57% of his shots.
The Mavericks got the win which is good, but this furthers proves and confirms the work they have cut out for them to compete with the best in the west. The caliber gap is not by miles but by inches.
