The Dallas Mavericks' struggles continued with a 118-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, extending their losing streak to 2-7. The Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant and Cedric Coward, who each scored 21 points, dominated the game with a strong first-half performance. Jaren Jackson and Santi Aldama also contributed 17 and 16 points, respectively, as Memphis snapped their four-game losing streak. Morant's 13 assists showcased his playmaking abilities. Dallas, without Anthony Davis due to a calf strain, faced a challenging night. Max Christie and Naji Marshall led the Mavericks with 18 and 16 points, respectively, but the team struggled with 3-point shooting, making only 20% of their attempts in the first half. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, hit 48% of their 3-pointers, building a substantial lead. Despite Dallas's efforts to close the gap in the third quarter, they couldn't overcome the Grizzlies' advantage, trailing 102-80 after three quarters. The Mavericks' struggles continued in the fourth, as they couldn't get within single digits. With both teams battling through poor 3-point shooting, the Grizzlies' victory was a testament to their ability to capitalize on their opponents' weaknesses. The Mavericks' next game is against the Wizards on the road, while the Grizzlies host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The teams' shared home arena in Dallas has been a point of contention, adding another layer of complexity to their ongoing challenges.
