Mavericks-Grizzlies Preview
The Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies had their longest winning streaks of the season snapped over the weekend, though their biggest struggles were at opposite ends of the floor.
Both will be looking to get back on track Tuesday night in Memphis.
Dallas (9-5) had won six in a row before a 117-114 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday, and the Thunder's 52.2 percent shooting was a season-worst allowed by the defense. The Mavericks had limited teams to 94.8 points per game on 40.5 percent shooting during a six-game winning streak, and though it was just one setback, coach Rick Carlisle was bothered by the performance.
"I thought we were poor on defense the entire game," he said. "We gave up 117 points and we've been giving up under 100 on average. It's just not getting it done. I think we lost some of our defensive edge tonight and we have to get it back."
They surrendered 48 points in the paint, falling to 1-4 when they give up 44 or more. The lack of a true shot blocker could be having an effect. Tyson Chandler, who departed via free agency, led the team with 1.2 blocks per game, and the Mavericks' current leader is Dwight Powell (0.7).
Javale McGee could give them a boost in that department, averaging 1.8 for his career. He made his season debut against the Thunder and had eight points and six rebounds over 11 minutes, but no blocks.
"It felt real good," McGee, who had been sidelined by a stress fracture, told the team's official website. "The first stint I was in, I was kind of out of breath. It was definitely a blessing just being out here, period."
Deron Williams is averaging a career-high 1.5 steals and scored 20 points, two days after scoring a season-high 23 against Utah. Williams has been rejuvenated offensively for his new team, shooting 43.8 percent, up from last season's career-worst 38.7 mark. His 39.5 3-point percentage is his best since 2007-08, and his 1.9 turnovers per game are his fewest since his rookie year.
The Grizzlies' four-game winning streak came to an end in a 92-82 loss at San Antonio on Saturday. Memphis (7-7) had averaged 108.3 points in the previous four contests before taking a step back, going 1 for 9 from 3-point range and committing 17 turnovers.
Coach Dave Joerger's team is 3-5 when committing 14 or more.
"You have to get what you're trying to get offensively and right now we are a little scattered," Joerger said. "This isn't how we play."
Zach Randolph's absence didn't help matters, as the forward averaging 14.5 points missed a second straight game due to a sore right knee. Joerger also added that Marc Gasol "probably should have sat out" on the second night of a back-to-back. Gasol, scoring a team-high 15.7 points per game this season, is averaging 38.3 minutes over his last eight games. The NBA high this season is 38.9 by Houston's James Harden.
Memphis has won four of five in the series and 10 of 14 at home.