Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks

Opposite Ends of the 3-Point Spectrum

Not sure there could be two teams on more opposite sides of the three ball than Memphis and Dallas. At least without scripting it. There’s something very Hollywood-esque about the entire conflicting viewpoints angle… Which, how conflicting are we talking here?

For starters, the Mavs are currently ranked 6th in the league when it come to 3PT% (37.5). During this time, they’re also 2nd in the league when it comes to 3PA with 42.6 per game. Now the Grizzlies aren’t that far behind the Mavericks in this area either. They are averaging the 4th most three point attempts in the league at this rate (39.9 per game).

How many of those attempts are good for a bucket though? Very little turns out. In fact Memphis is dead last. Dead last in the league in 3PT% with 32.7%.

Huh. You would think if you had managed to stay dead last in shooting the three ball you would… I don’t know… Stop shooting said three ball so much. You know… On account of the team never making a damn one of them… But I digress.

Because we—on occasion—will have nights where our guys catch fire from 3-point-land still. Cough cough David Roddy from two nights ago sneeze cough. Pardon me. Now, could it be more common you ask? I mean…Sure. But one step at at time right?

Other Guys, Other Losses?

It’s worth mentioning that three of the Mavs six losses have come in the last 5 games. Consider it recency bias if you must… But why not see what worked against them in these three latest losses? You know, on account of it helping those teams beat Dallas and all…

The first thing that I notice worked, was the lack of zealotry when stopping Luka and Kyrie Irving. And I mean that as a good thing. The duo had 20+ points in each of the losses, seeming to lose each game in spite of themselves—and others.

For example, you’ll notice in the losses the Mavs bigs were non factors. They failed to get double digit points in any of the three recent losses and only hit double digits boards once. The only true size they have that they tend to use down-low is rookie center Dereck Lively II anyway. The opposing centers (Sabonis, Lopez, Zubac) in these games bully balled the hell out of the rook.

Now Bismack Biyombo is more like the diet, zero version of those guys… But capable of throwing bodies and bows in the paint with the best of them. If Bis is able to impose himself—even if it’s a little bit—that’s a good sign things are going our way this game.

Another good sign? If our bench can out bench theres. Meaning Memphis needs to limit the production they get from their bench. Especially if they can also limit Tim Hardaway Jr.—safe to say the early front-runner for 6MOY—too. He’s been the only reserve that’s produced in these losses and in general.

Slowing him down and slowing down the Dallas bigs and reserves? If the Grizzlies can do that—and yes I realize that’s a big if—it’s another mark in their favor for stealing the dub.

Photo Credit: (Brandon Dill, AP Photo)