That heavy sigh you heard came from Memphis after the Grizzlies ended a six-game slide and moved closer to securing a playoff spot. Things got a little dicey during the skid with demoralizing losses to the Lakers, Nuggets and Magic. Dallas can’t sigh just yet. The Mavs haven’t clinched anything but can get close with a third victory in four tries against the Griz this season.
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SCHEDULING
The Grizzlies snapped a six-game losing streak and solidified their grip on a Western Conference playoff spot with a resounding 108-92 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday. Not only was the victory much needed as the Griz were sliding down the standings, they were able to close out the game against a team scratching to get back into the playoff picture. The Grizzlies maintained a double-digit lead throughout the entire fourth quarter. While the top four spots in the West are set, the bottom four are still very fluid and the Grizzlies avoided making the race even tighter. And with two games against Golden State and one with the Clippers to follow, a win over Dallas moves the Griz closer to the fifth-seed.
Depending on how the remainder of the regular season plays out, Dallas could move up to fifth or miss the playoffs entirely. That’s how much is riding on the last few games of the year. And the head-to-head battles take on more importance. The Mavs have taken two of three from the Griz this season, but the rosters look a little different now than they did on Feb. 6 when Dallas won 114-110 in overtime. Dallas hits the road for games with the Clippers and Jazz after this one, which is a very winnable game for the Mavs.
INJURIES
The Grizzlies have used an NBA record 28 players this season and still they are in contention for a playoff spot. They’ve been without star center Marc Gasol since early February and floor leader Mike Conley since early March while Zach Randolph and nearly everyone else on the roster has missed some time.
Deron Williams hasn’t played since Mar. 23 while dealing with a sports hernia and coach Rick Carlisle doesn’t think he’s close to a return. Williams played through the hernia for about a month, but the more he played the worse it got. There’s a good chance that he will miss the remainder of the season. The team is already without Chandler Parsons, who underwent knee surgery and is out for the rest of the regular season.
KEY MATCHUP
On Thursday night the Grizzlies played like they wanted to go to the playoffs. The Bulls played like they wanted to go home. Memphis ended a six-game losing streak and it all started with Zach Randolph, just as it always has. With Gasol and Conley on the shelf, Randolph, when healthy, is the driving force. “He anchors everything,” said coach Dave Joerger. Randolph became engaged early against the Bulls, and an interested Randolph is a devastating Randolph. He had 10 points in the first quarter and 18 by halftime on his way to 27 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. And when Z-Bo is doing Z-Bo things, everything else falls easily into place for Memphis. It’s no secret that the Grizzlies need Randolph down the stretch and he delivered in a game they desperately needed to have.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Both teams are missing key players and both are hungry to make the playoffs; it should make for an interesting game. Memphis rescued Jordan Farmar off the scrap head to help with their depleted backcourt and the acquisition is paying off. Farmar tossed in a season-high 15 points Thursday playing over 31 minutes and is growing into his starting role. His ability to score the basketball has allowed Tony Allen to concentrate on playing defense, which, by the way, he does very well. For Dallas, J.J. Barea has taken over at the point in the absence of Williams and Justin Anderson has been a find in place of Parsons. The Mavs are better defensively with Anderson and his length on the court. Dirk Nowitzki will eventually find his shot, and he seems to always have it against the Griz. Dallas’ four-game winning streak that vaulted them back into the playoff picture is no fluke and the Griz are no match.
NBA Odds: Dallas 98, Memphis 95
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks will start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 8, 2016, at the American Airlines Center. You can watch the game live on NBA TV.
