As the Emirates NBA Cup group stage came to a close, the Dallas Mavericks ended the Memphis Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak with a 121-116 win at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night.
The Mavericks improved to 14-8, while Memphis fell to 14-8.
The Grizzlies went up by as many as 15 points early in the fourth quarter, but they were unable to take advantage of Dallas’ blunders and ultimately lost the game. But let’s not get it twisted: The main reason for the Grizzlies’ fourth-quarter collapse was the free-throw disparity.
The Mavericks’ 44 free throws (compared to Memphis’ 14) were the game-changer. It’s unheard of to have a free-throw differential of 30. In the final period, Dallas went to the line 26 times while the Grizzlies managed to go just three times. It was a 26-3 free-throw advantage in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks’ 23-free-throw edge in was the most lopsided fourth quarter disparity in the NBA since 2015 according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Plus, Memphis couldn’t find a rhythm and went eight of 23 from the field and a dismal 2 of 10 from the three-point line in the final quarter. The Grizzlies’ offense stalled in the final three minutes, scoring just five points while making only two of nine shots, allowing the Mavericks to pull away with an 18-5 run. Dallas won the period, 39-21.
The final period took a whopping 42 minutes to finish.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with a season-best 31 points. Desmond Bane added 19 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds, and Santi Aldama provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Weird coincidence
Memphis defeated the Mavericks in preseason, 121-116 on October 4, 2024 in Dallas.
Up Next
The Grizzlies are gearing up to host the Sacramento Kings at FedExForum this Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m. CT.
