NBA: Victory series torn – Mavs despair of Grizzlies-Defense and Conley

The Dallas Mavericks have once again lost after four wins in a row. Against the defensive Memphis Grizzlies Luka Doncic and Co. gritted their teeth and lost 88:98 (BOXSCORE) due to a terrible fourth quarter. Meanwhile the hosts could rely on Mike Conley and Marc Gasol again.

With Memphis and Dallas two of the hottest teams of the last days met each other, consequently there were no changes in the starting formations of both teams. However, on both sides there was hardly any rhythm in the actions, also because both defensives acted very well.

However, the hosts found more and more ways into the zone during the game and set with a 9:0 run first needlesticks. Dallas, on the other hand, scored very little with jump throws, but subsequently pulled fouls and was able to keep pace with the free-throw line. Luka Doncic (0/6 FG), on the other hand, did not have a chance in the first quarter, the Grizzlies led with 25:21.

Another rookie, on the other hand, was in a really good mood. Jaren Jackson Jr. had quickly collected 11 points, but Dallas did quite well in the defence when Mike Conley and Marc Gasol sat on the bench at the Grizzlies. Maxi Kleber had quickly collected two spectacular blocks again, but the matchup with Gasol caused difficulties for the German. The Grizzlies caught each other and went after a four-point game by Conley with a 53:49 lead into the break.

After the change, Dennis Smith Jr. and Doncic opened with Triples for Dallas, while Memphis always had the right answer with Conley. In this phase the leadership changed back and forth again and again. The Mavs again profited from some Memphis fouls, were fast in the bonus and hid with the fact that on the field was still not much running (74:74).

Without Conley, Memphis would not be able to do anything, instead the hosts collected some turnovers, which Dallas could not use with a run. A wear and tear fight developed, both teams scored hardly any points on the scoreboard. That changed when Conley caught fire again. The Guard netted two triples and also put a triple on colleague Garrett Temple, Memphis was a good 4 minutes before the end with 6 points in front (90:84).

Dallas didn’t hit anything from a distance anymore and just took bad throws. The result was a drought of over four minutes without a single point, Memphis managed the decisive 10-0 run – the decision.

For Dallas, all starters scored a double-digit point score, with DeAndre Jordan (17 points, 20 rebounds) with a strong double-double. Doncic still got 15 points (6/20, 3/9 threes, 10 boards), Smith (19, 6/15) fought as well as the Slovenian with his throw. Maxi Kleber (2, 0/4, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks) convinced in the defense, but could not set any accents in the attack. Memphis could rely on the duo of Gasol (17, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Conley (28, 7/11 threes), and Jackson (13, 4 blocks) also showed a good performance.

Memphis Grizzlies (11-5) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7-9) 98:88 (BOXSCORE)

Mike Conley. The Grizzlies are so dependent on the Point Guard, this was also shown in this game. Whenever the hosts needed points, Memphis ran a system from Conley who got a really good evening from downtown. At the same time, Conley never forced it and, if available, also played the extra pass, which turned a good litter into an excellent one.

Harrison Barnes. Difficult evening for the Mavs Forward. The effort could not be denied to him, but neither was his jump shot there (1/7 threes), nor were his drives crowned with success. Too often Barnes wanted to force it and was driven by the Grizzlies Defense mostly in the direction of Gasol, over which the Mavs-Forward simply couldn’t finish. In the end there were only 10 points (3/14 FG).

The Grizzlies were an interesting matchup with their two Bigs (Jackson, Gasol) as Dallas had a small foursome with Doncic. So Mavs coach Carlisle Dorian Finney-Smith played Gasol and he beat the Spaniard more than bravely. Otherwise Carlisle also used lineups with glue and Jordan together on the field.