3 Things to Consider Before the Dallas Mavericks Play the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Cup
The Dallas Mavericks (2-6) will face the Memphis Grizzlies (3-6) on Friday night in their first NBA Cup game. Both teams are struggling, making this a contest of two troubled franchises.
Team Struggles and Recent Losing Streaks
Both teams enter the game on losing streaks—Dallas has dropped three in a row, while Memphis has lost four. Though a win could bring some relief, neither team has solved its deeper problems yet.
Challenges Facing the Mavericks and the Grizzlies
- The Mavericks are in crisis after a tough loss to the Pelicans and are struggling to find effective offense.
- The Grizzlies face a tough choice between their star Ja Morant and their coaching staff. This dilemma arises just months after Morant influenced a coaching change.
On-Court Performance and Team Pace
Both teams are near the bottom in key metrics: they rank among the lowest in offensive rating and net rating, but they play at one of the fastest paces in the league.
Hope from Rookie Talent
Each team has a promising first-round draft pick—Cooper Flagg for Dallas and Cedric Coward for Memphis—offering some optimism. Given roster uncertainties, watching these rookies compete head-to-head might be the highlight of the matchup.
Notable Historical Context
Dallas held a strong upper hand in this matchup while Luka Doncic was still with the Mavericks.
May the less bad team win.
Author’s summary: Both Dallas and Memphis are struggling deeply, but rookie talents and fast-paced play add intrigue to their NBA Cup showdown.