The Memphis Grizzlies are heading to Dallas as heavy favorites against a severely depleted Mavericks squad this Friday night.
Memphis enters as 11-point road favorites according to BetOnline odds, a rare position for a visiting team but one that makes sense given the circumstances.
The Grizzlies (38-24, 35-26-1 against the spread) will face a Mavericks team (32-31, 31-30-2 ATS) that’s been decimated by injuries and struggling to stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center, with national coverage on ESPN.
Fans can catch the free live stream through Jazz Sports.
The injury situation tells much of the story heading into this matchup. Dallas is dealing with a staggering number of sidelined players, including several key contributors.
Most notably, the Mavs are without both their superstars. Kyrie Irving is done for the season with a torn ACL, while Anthony Davis remains out indefinitely with an adductor strain.
Davis hasn’t played since February 8 – his very first game after being acquired from the Lakers in the blockbuster Luke Doncic trade.
The Mavs’ frontcourt is particularly thin, with Daniel Gafford (MCL), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and P.J. Washington (ankle) all sidelined. They had just eight available players for Wednesday’s game.
Memphis isn’t completely healthy either. They’ll be without Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) indefinitely, while Zach Pullin (knee) is ruled out and both John Konchar (knee) and Santi Aldama (calf) are questionable.
The Grizzlies haven’t exactly been lighting it up lately. They’re just 3-7 in their last 10 games and riding a four-game losing streak.
Their most recent defeat came Wednesday when they were blown out 120-103 at home by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ja Morant put up 24 points and six assists in the loss.
Dallas is in an even deeper slump, having lost five of their last six games.
The teams have split their previous meetings this season. Dallas won 121-116 at home in December, but Memphis evened the score with a 119-104 victory in January.
On the road, Memphis has been decent with a 16-14 record, while Dallas maintains a solid 19-13 mark at home despite their recent struggles.
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Grizzlies a 75.3% chance of winning, and history favors them too – Memphis has won six of the last nine meetings between these Southwest Division rivals.
With the Mavericks missing so many key players and the Grizzlies desperate to snap their losing streak, this matchup could provide Memphis the perfect opportunity to get back on track.
