The Dallas Mavericks (2-6) will face the Memphis Grizzlies (3-6) on Friday night at FedExForum, marking their first NBA Cup matchup. Both teams enter the game facing losing streaks—Dallas with three consecutive losses and Memphis with four.
Memphis suffered its fourth straight defeat on Wednesday, falling 124-109 to the Houston Rockets at home. The Grizzlies scored the first basket but never regained the lead. Key contributors included Cam Spencer, who scored 19 points off the bench, and Ja Morant, who had 17 points, eight assists, and six turnovers on 6-of-19 shooting. Santi Aldama added 16 points in the loss.
Morant, who was suspended for one game over the weekend for “detrimental conduct,” is averaging 20.0 points and 7.3 assists on .383/.140/.957 shooting splits.
The Mavericks lost their third straight game Wednesday, narrowly falling 101-99 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Cooper Flagg, shifted from point guard to small forward with D’Angelo Russell starting at point guard for the first time this season, scored 20 points and recorded three steals. P.J. Washington led the Pelicans with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Daniel Gafford also contributed 15 points.
Both teams are eager to snap their losing streaks as they prepare to compete in this significant NBA Cup fixture.
“Cooper Flagg’s runner clanked off the back of the rim with two seconds left as the Mavericks lost their third in a row.”
Author’s summary: Both the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies enter this NBA Cup clash struggling to end ongoing losing streaks amid roster shifts and player controversies.