Struggling Mavericks will be shorthanded against Grizzlies
The Dallas Mavericks return home wounded and slumping. Facing off against the Memphis Grizzlies probably won't help either malady.
The Mavericks (2-8) take a three-game losing streak into their first meeting against Southwest Division rival Memphis (6-5) Friday night at American Airlines Center.
"We obviously are trying to win games," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "So far, it's been difficult, but we got to stay the course. It's a long season. There's a ton more games to go. No one's going to drop their heads here, I'll make sure of that."
The injury toll continues to mount for the Mavericks, who received a huge scare with J.J. Barea went down in the second half of Wednesday's 90-83 loss at Boston.
Barea was in great pain initially and thought the injury could be season threatening. It turned out to be a calf strain that will likely sideline the combo guard for several weeks.
"It was awful," Barea said. "I never felt that before in my entire basketball career. I thought it was over. I thought it was the Achilles. It's a little bit of good news that it's my calf. Hopefully I don't need surgery, but we'll just wait. I never felt that feeling before. It felt like you got shot in your leg."
Barea is an integral part of Carlisle's rotation, both coming off the bench or starting. The Mavericks are already without Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles soreness) and Devin Harris (toe), and Deron Williams (strained calf) had to leave Wednesday's game before halftime after returning from a four-game absence.
"There's no secret, we're going through some adversity right now," forward Harrison Barnes said. "We caught a little break with J.J. ... but our young guys are going to have to step up with everybody out. It's all hands on deck. Coming back home against Memphis, it's a must-win game."
The Grizzlies are coming off Wednesday's dramatic 111-107 win at the Los Angeles Clippers. Marc Gasol hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 14 seconds left for Memphis to snap the Clippers' seven-game winning streak.
"They are the best team in the league right now, so for us to get a signature win like this is huge," point guard Mike Conley said.
Conley scored 30 and Gasol added a season-high 26 points for the Grizzlies in their second straight win, both coming on the road.
"Our two franchise players, Marc and Mike, just carried us and it was a good game," forward Zach Randolph said. "We're starting to come around. Guys are getting more comfortable."
Gasol is becoming comfortable in 3-point territory this season. After only hitting 12 from deep in his first eight years in the NBA, the 7-foot center has already knocked down 16 this season.
"He's the best 3-pointer shooter on the team, no disrespect," Randolph quipped. "I've been saying that for a long time."
The Grizzlies' four-game trip ends in Dallas. Memphis coach David Fizdale has seen an uptick in team chemistry during the last week away from home.
"We're really starting to become more connected as a group," he said. "That's what the road does for you."
The trip to Dallas is also a return for Chandler Parsons, who spent the last two years with the Mavericks before signing with Memphis in the offseason.