3 Things to Think About Before the Dallas Mavericks Play the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Cup
The Dallas Mavericks (2-6) will face the Memphis Grizzlies (3-6) Friday night in their first NBA Cup game. Both teams are struggling, presenting a match-up between two troubled squads.
Two Dysfunctional Teams
The Grizzlies are attempting to reconcile with their star player Ja Morant, while the Mavericks are trying to find consistency in their offense. Each team is on a losing streak—Dallas has lost three games, Memphis four—but a single win won’t fix their deeper problems.
Challenges Off the Court
The Mavericks face an identity crisis after a discouraging loss to the Pelicans. Meanwhile, Memphis must decide between supporting their star player or their coaching staff, just months after Morant led to a coaching change.
Poor Performance on the Court
Both teams rank near the bottom in key statistics:
- Bottom five in offensive rating
- Bottom six in net rating
- Among the top five fastest-paced teams in the league
They struggle not only with poor play but also with maintaining a fast, intense pace.
Rookie Duel Brings Hope
One bright spot is the presence of promising rookies from this year’s draft. Dallas’ Cooper Flagg and Memphis’ Cedric Coward offer a glimpse of hope in otherwise bleak teams.
This game could mark the beginning of many future matchups between these young talents.
Additional Context
The Mavericks historically dominated this matchup while Luka Doncic was on the team, adding a layer of intrigue to the upcoming game.
"One saving grace on either side is their respective first-round pick in this year’s draft. Cooper Flagg on Dallas and Cedric Coward on Memphis have given otherwise bleak situations a little bit of hope."
Author’s summary: Despite being among the league’s weakest teams, the Mavericks and Grizzlies offer an intriguing rookie showdown amid their ongoing struggles and internal challenges.
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