While Dallas isn't mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, they essentially have to win out and do a lot of hoping if they want to continue playing past the regular season. The Mavericks are currently 5.5 games out of last place in the Western Conference. They have eight games remaining in their schedule. When they take on Memphis, the Grizzlies will be hoping to get closer to locking up a postseason berth. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM Eastern time on Friday night and the game will be broadcast on NBA League Pass, FSN Southwest, and FSN Southeast.
Mavericks (31-43, 5th Southwest)
Believe it or not, Dallas could have been in a better situation than they are now. But they've fallen in five of their past seven games, including a current three-game losing streak. The 121-118 loss to New Orleans was especially difficult as the Pelicans are also hoping to steal that last playoff spot.
Glimpses of past Dirk Nowitzki (14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg) showed up in the recent loss as he finished with 23 points and 7 boards. Seth Curry (12.8 ppg) shined in his recent outing against the Grizzlies with 24 points. After returning from a shoulder injury against the Pelicans, he put up 18 points.
Grizzlies (41-34, 3rd Southwest)
Memphis has also suffered in their losing ways, but they ended a rough four-game road trip by knocking off Indiana at home 110-97 the last time out.
Point guard Mike Conley (20.4 ppg, 6.3 apg) dominated with 36 points, the first time he's eclipsed the 30-point mark since putting down 32 against Brooklyn on March 6th.
Conley also put up 30 points in their previous meeting against the Mavericks three days prior to the Nets contest. Memphis ended up falling in that game 104-100, and Dallas has won four of the last five meetings against the Grizzlies.
To make things even worse for this upcoming matchup, both Marc Gasol (19.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and JaMychal Green (9.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) will be out for another game.
Despite those players being out, Memphis is still favored by four points and the total O/U is set at 191.5 points. The Grizzlies are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games playing on just one day of rest, but are also 0-5 ATS in their last five games on Friday.
