On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks got back on track with a 104-96 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Mavericks needed the win desperately, entering the game on a three-game losing streak and having lost eight of their last ten games overall. That includes a loss to this same Memphis team on Saturday in Dallas.
Both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis were forced to sit out with injuries in Saturday’s matchup. On Wednesday, both were in the lineup and were vital to the Mavericks’ victory.
Doncic was a game-time decision due to injury, but he played and led both teams with 26 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points, four rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Dallas was much improved at shooting the ball after recent poor shooting performances. In the last three games, the Mavericks made only 38% of their shot attempts, but on Wednesday against the Grizzlies, they made 48.1% of their shots.
Doncic had a significantly more efficient shooting night than in Tuesday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets when the Mavericks had a historically poor shooting night. Against Memphis on Wednesday, he made 10-of-19 shot attempts, including 5-of-10 three-point attempts.
“We knew we needed that win — badly,” Doncic said postgame. “We just played physical basketball, and I think that was our key.”
Despite this being the second night of a back-back for Dallas, they seemed like the stronger team in the latter portion of the game. In the second half, the Mavericks outscored the Grizzlies 56-44.
Dallas’ defense was also a big reason for the win. They held Memphis to 40% shooting overall, including 9-of-31 from three-point range.
“We’re playing at a high level on the defensive end,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “Offense is starting to come slowly. This is a good sign tonight shooting 48% and not having to take 40-plus 3s.”
The first half was very physical and chippy as the teams traded buckets, and the score remained close. There were plenty of fouls, but overall defense for both teams was strong in the opening half. Both teams were shooting less than 45% from the field and about 25% from 3-point range at halftime.
At one point in the second quarter, the Grizzlies opened up a 12-point lead, but Dallas ended the quarter on an 11-3 run to trim the Memphis lead to 52-48 at halftime. Near the end of the first half, Doncic was given a technical foul for arguing with the officials. That technical tied him with Utah’s Rudy Gobert for a league-high six this season.
The second half provided plenty more technical fouls. By the end of the game, the officials assessed six technical fouls, including four against Memphis in the game’s final six minutes.
After Memphis stretched their lead to six points early in the third quarter, Dallas went on an 11-2 run to take a three-point lead. Dallas held on to this narrow lead to start the fourth quarter up 76-75.
On Tuesday against the Nets, the Mavericks also started the fourth quarter with a lead. They then proceeded to be outscored 27-13 to lose the game. Unlike that game, Dallas stretched their lead early and used a 7-0 run with just under three minutes left to make the score 100-86 in their favor. In the first 11 minutes of the final quarter, the Mavericks outscored the Grizzlies 27-16.
The win brings Dallas’ record back to .500 on the season at 12-12. Their next game will be against the Indiana Pacers on the road on December 10.