Mavericks vs. Grizzlies: Game 79 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (40-38) vs Memphis Grizzlies (42-36)
Fri. Arr. 8, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBATV
Line: Mavs by 6


2015-16 Matchups
Nov. 24 at Memphis
Grizzlies 110 Mavs 96
Dec. 18 at Dallas
Mavs 97 Grizzlies 88
Feb. 6 at Memphis
Mavs 114 Grizzlies 110 (OT)

All-Time Series
Mavs 58 Grizzlies 23

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 104.8 (9th)
Def. Rating: 104.4 (17th)
Point Differential: -0.4
Thunder
Offense: 102.8 (20th)
Defense: 104.8 (18th)
Point Differential: -1.6

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: J.J. Barea
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Justin Anderson
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Grizzlies
PG: Jordan Farmar
SG: Tony Allen
SF: Matt Barnes
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Chris Andersen

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 18.3
RPG: Pachulia, 9.6
APG: Williams, 5.8
PER: Nowitzki, 18.9
Grizzlies
PPG: Gasol, 16.6
RPG: Randolph, 7.9
APG: Conley, 6.1
PER: Conley, 19.4

Injuries
Mavs
Out
Chandler Parsons- knee surgery
Deron Williams- sports hernia
Grizzlies
Out
Marc Gasol- foot surgery
Mike Conley- Achilles tendinitis
Brandan Wright- sprained MCL
Questionable
P.J. Hairston- strained groin

Of Note

• The Mavs 5 game winning streak has been fueled by a stingy defense and the best stretch of J.J. Barea's career.
• Dallas has held their opponent under 90 points in all 5 wins, allowing a average of 86 points per game.
• Barea has scored at least 18 points in all 5 games, averaging 24.2 points and 7 assists. He is also shooting 54% from the field and 50% on threes.
• The Mavs magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 2 after the Rockets lost to Phoenix Thursday night. Any combination of 2 Mavs win or Rockets losses puts Dallas in the postseason.
• A Mavericks win would put them only a game behind Memphis in the standing and they would own the tiebreaker over the Grizzlies thanks to winning the season series.

Current West Standings 5-9
5. Grizzlies 42-36
6. Blazers 43-37
7. Mavs 40-38
8. Jazz 39-39
9. Rockets 38-41