The Dallas Mavericks responded to a two-game losing run with a pair of victories but couldn’t make it three in a row as they suffered a home defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Mavericks dropped to a 31-20 record and are in the 6th place in the Western Conference.
The Washington Wizards were also on a two-game winning streak before losing to the Golden State Warriors in front of their fans. The Wizards dropped to a 17-32 record and are in the 11th position in the Eastern Conference.
These inter-conference rivals met once this season, and the Mavericks recorded a 108-100 home victory.
The Mavericks’ poor shooting cost them a win over the Grizzlies
Dallas displayed a weak offensive performance in a 121-107 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, shooting only 36.2% from the field. The Mavericks played relatively well in the first half and trailed by three points at halftime, but the visitors scored even 41 points in the third quarter and allowed just 22 to the Mavs. That period decided this clash, and Rick Carlisle’s team deserved to lose. Kristaps Porzingis led Dallas with a double-double of 32 points and game-high 12 rebounds, along with a couple of steals. Jalen Brunson added 20 points and game-high six assists, Tim Hardaway contributed with 14 points and six boards, while Maxi Kleber had ten points and six rebounds. Dwight Powell (Achilles) is out for the season, Luka Doncic (ankle) is out indefinitely, while J.J. Barea (ankle) and Seth Curry (left knee tightness) are questionable to play on Friday against the Wizards. Porzingis broke his nose in a loss to the Grizzlies, and he is also questionable to feature on Friday.
“It’s broken, but it’s OK,” Porzingis said. “I really didn’t have a headache or anything.”
This season, the Mavericks have the 3rd offense in the NBA that averages 116.1 points per game, and they are facing the Wizards’ worst defense that allows 120.8 points per contest. The Mavericks are the 4th in rebounds with 47.4 and 17th in assists with 23.9 per game.
The Wizards didn’t have a chance against the Warriors
Washington unpleasantly surprised everyone with a 125-117 home defeat to the Golden State Warriors, a team with the worst record in the entire NBA. The Wizards were excellent from the floor, though, shooting a bit over 50%, but the visitors made 15 triples opposite Washington’s nine. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 43 points, team-high six assists, and two blocks. Davis Bertans chipped in with 19 points and five dimes, Thomas Bryant had 11 points, seven boards, and two blocks, while RuiHachimura added 11 points and team-high eight rebounds. Bryant experienced a setback with the stress reaction in his right foot will miss at least the next couple of games. Jordan McRae (right ankle) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice, and he’s expected to play on Friday vs. the Mavs.
“We did not come out to play with the right mindset,” Washington coach Scott Brooks said. “I don’t know what we were thinking, but we weren’t thinking the right things.”
This season, the Wizards have the 4th offense in the NBA that averages 115.7 points per game, and they are facing the Mavericks’ 14th defense that allows 110.2 points per contest. The Wizards are the worst in rebounds with 42.4 and 10th in assists with 25.5 per game.
