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The Memphis Grizzlies travel to the American Airlines Center to challenge the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Memphis moved to third place in the Southwest Division with their 25-25 SU record. The Grizzlies have lost just once in their last five games and they head to Dallas with a two-game winning streak. The Mavericks have played without Luka Doncic in their last three games but the team has won back to back games with their star guard sidelined with an ankle injury. Dallas is currently in second place in the Southwest Division with a 31-19 SU record.
Fourth Win in Five Games
After watching the New Orleans Pelicans snap their four-game winning streak, the Memphis Grizzlies got back on track with their fourth win in five games. The Grizzlies defeated the Detroit Pistons 96-82 on Monday night at the FedEx Forum. The win pulled the Grizzlies to the .500 mark at 25-25 SU on the season.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 26 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked 4 shots to lead the Grizzlies. Dillon Brooks added 15 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 14 points. Rookie guard Ja Morant chipped in 12 points and 7 assists while Tyus Jones scored 13 points off the bench.
Memphis ranks 10th in the league in scoring at 113.1 points per game this season. They are 16th in rebounding at 45.3 boards grabbed per contest and are the top passing team in the NBA at 27.6 assists per game. The Grizzlies though have the 5th worst scoring defense this season at 115.0 points per game allowed.
Without Luka
The Dallas Mavericks played without Luka Doncic for the third straight game because of an ankle injury. But despite missing their main man on Monday night, the Mavs pulled off a 112-103 road win over the Indiana Pacers. The win was Dallas’ second straight and their third in the last five games.
Kristaps Porzingis scored a season-high 38 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against the Pacers, making a career-high six three-pointers and hitting all 12 of his free throws. Tim Hardaway Jr. also had a big game with 25 points while Dorian Finney-Smith added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavs.
Dallas ranks 3rd overall in scoring at 116.3 points per game and they are 14th in scoring defense at 110.0 points per game allowed. The Mavericks are 4th in the league in rebounding with an average of 47.5 boards grabbed per contest and they are 16th in passing at 24.0 dimes per outing.
Who Wins?
Memphis is 5-1 SU in their last six games played. The Grizzlies are 2-2 SU in their last four games played on the road. Dallas is 8-4 SU in their last 12 games played. The Mavericks are 2-2 SU in their last four games played at home, 2-4 SU in their last six games against the Western Conference, and 5-2 SU in their last seven Wednesday games. Head to head, the Mavericks are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Grizzlies.
Memphis continues to work its way back to playoff contention. They are now at the .500 mark after a slow start and have overtaken the Spurs in the team standings. Jonas Valanciunas has three double-doubles in their last five games while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant are having terrific seasons for the Grizzlies.
The Mavericks are one of the big surprises of the season. The main reason is Luka Doncic. However, Luka has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. In his absence, Kristaps Porzingis has put up back to back games with at least 35 points and 10 rebounds and Dallas has won back to back games.
I like how Memphis has climbed back in the team standings but they are a team who are 5th from the bottom in scoring defense. That’s going to be a problem against the third-best scoring team in the league in Dallas. The Grizzlies are 10-12 on the road while the Mavs are 14-12 at home. I like Dallas to win because Memphis won’t be able to stop their offense.
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks
Other Bets to Make
The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games played. Memphis is 2-2 ATS in their last four games played on the road, 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against the Western Conference, and 3-6 ATS in their last nine games against the Southwest Division. The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games played. Dallas is 2-2 ATS in their last four games played at home, 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Southwest Division, and 5-2 ATS in their last seven Wednesday games. Head to head, the Mavericks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies
+5 (-110)
Mavericks
-5 (-110)
Odds from SportsBetting as of 02/05/20
Dallas defeated Memphis by 16 points in their first meeting of the season but then that was a time when Memphis was still struggling and Doncic was playing. However, Dallas has shown that it has players that can fill the scoring void left by their top scorer. Porzingis is coming off a game where he hit six three-pointers. Dallas shoots the second-most three-pointers among the NBA teams while Memphis is 5th from the bottom when it comes to defending the three-ball. I like the Mavs to cover the spread here.
Prediction: Mavericks -5
The total has gone under in six out of the last 10 games played by Memphis. The over is 6-2 in the last eight road games played by the Grizzlies. The total has gone over in six out of the last 10 games played by the Mavericks. The over is 8-6 in Dallas’ 14 home games against the Western Conference. Head to head, the total has gone under in six out of the last nine games played between these two teams. The under is also 4-2 in their last six games played in Dallas.
Over
228.5 (-110)
Under
228.5 (-110)
Odds from SportsBetting as of 02/05/20
Memphis plays with the 4th-highest pace in the league and they have a defense that allows too many points. Dallas is only the third-best scoring team in the NBA this season and they have averaged over 118 points even without Doncic in their last three outings. I like Porzingis to have another big night here.
Prediction: Over 228.5
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