Free NBA Pick: Grizzlies vs. Mavericks NBA Odds
Looking for Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Grizzlies taking on the Mavericks on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 at American Airlines Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Grizzlies Mavericks matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(32-16) Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks (27-20)
Date: Sunday, January 23rd
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
NBA Moneyline Odds: Grizzlies | Mavericks (Bet Now!) Moneyline is off
NBA Betting Odds: Mavericks -2.5
NBA Betting Total: 216
The Memphis Grizzlies face the Dallas Mavericks for the final time this season on Sunday, January 23rd. The Southwest Division rivals have been road warriors with Memphis winning 97-90 on December 4th in Dallas while the Mavericks won the matches in Memphis on December 8th (104-96) and January 14th (112-85).
The Grizzlies last played on Friday defeating the Nuggets 122-118 while the Mavericks played a back-to-back set Wednesday/Thursday defeating the Raptors 102-98 and lost 101-109 to the Suns.
Last season, the squads played three times with Dallas winning two of the three contests. The Mavericks hold the advantage all-time having won 71 times of the club’s 103 meetings.
Memphis Grizzlies
Having already been hit hard once by health and safety protocols the Grizzlies who avoided contracting the virus the first time the virus hit the team has all seemingly been affected at once with Desmond Banes, Kyle Anderson, and Tyus Jones all in quarantine.
All four are expected to miss this match which is putting extra pressure on Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to pick up the slack especially with Dillon Brooks also out.
It doesn’t mean the Grizzlies will raise the white flag but it gives the Mavericks a decided depth advantage. Memphis is in the middle of a four-game road trip with stops in Milwaukee (loss), Denver (win) Dallas, and will finish in San Antonio.
On Friday, the undermanned squad relied on their two stars with Memphis prevailing as both Morant and Jackson excelled in the victory. Morant took on the reigning MVP posting 38 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Jackson offered 20 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.
Reserve De’Anthony Melton scored 21 points with nine rebounds and rookie Zaire Williams chipped in 17 points in a starting role.
The trio in quarantine noted above is out as is Brooks (ankle). A late update to the injury report notes both Steven Adams (ankle) and Brandon Clarke (back) are questionable for Sunday which would alter my pick.
Dallas Mavericks
I spent time watching the Mavericks recently to get a better handle on why they’re excelling on defense. The truth is they aren’t doing anything bold like employing tons of switches or zone. Nor do they attempt to turn over teams, or have what I would call stellar perimeter defense.
Their strategy is to limit the number of Mavericks who crash the offensive boards opting to focus on transition defense instead and on the defensive end use their length to protect the paint.
While they aren’t aggressive on the offensive glass the opposite is true on the defensive end to limit second-chance scoring opportunities and facilitate their own fast break opportunities. They try to force teams into running half-court offense to limit ball movement and drives.
Two games this week offered insight into their defense. First, the Raptors who rank fourth in points scored off turnovers plus are second in both fast break and second-chance scoring. While Toronto forced 18 turnovers they only scored 12 points off those miscues (they average 18.7 points).
The teams tied with eight fast break points, almost half of what Toronto typically scores (15.7) but the Raptors did excel on the offensive glass pulling down 16 boards (to 10 for Dallas). Unfortunately, they had a poor shooting night and failed to take advantage.
A night later, Phoenix (who employs similar habits to Toronto) took advantage of the Mavs’ fatigue. The Suns forced 19 turnovers leading to 31 points with many of those miscues leading to the 20 points scored on the fast break. Dallas played true to their identity winning the rebounding battle on both ends.
Ultimately, having to face two aggressively defensive teams on consecutive nights wore down the Mavs. Luka Doncic hurting his neck also didn’t help although he’s listed as probable for Sunday.
Sterling Brown (foot) is out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Grizzlies are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games.
- The Mavericks are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games.
- The Grizzlies are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games against a Western opponent
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Dallas’ last 7 games.
Free Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Prediction:
This match comes down to whether the Mavericks can stop the Grizzlies in transition and prevent them from getting into the paint versus how effective Memphis can be at creating steals and blocks (categories they lead).
While Dallas has been effective with their strategy, this past week they got a taste of teams who push those principles defeating Toronto (who only played seven players) and losing to the Suns. The Grizzlies are a combination of those two clubs.
The late injury update has me questioning my original choice to take the Grizzlies. So a caveat – if Adams and Clarke are both out switch to the Mavericks winning and covering ATS but if one of them plays I still like Memphis and I’m banking on one of them playing.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Grizzlies +3.5
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