The Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies traded baskets throughout the fourth quarter in what became Dallas’ 14th game that had to be decided in clutch time.
That is until the Mavericks couldn’t execute within the final 70 seconds. Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama gave his team the go-ahead lead with a floater over Daniel Gafford with 58 seconds left.
It was the push Memphis needed to escape American Airlines Center with a 102-96 win in a game that could be characterized as another setback for the Mavericks, who dropped to 5-13.
Dallas had an opportunity to claim its first winning homestand of the season, but couldn’t seize the moment in what was a physical, chippy battle between the two Southwest division rivals. Klay Thompson, who led the Mavericks with 22 points off the bench, was at the center of several spats between the Grizzlies.
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The veteran sharpshooter came to the aid of rookie forward Cooper Flagg in the third quarter when Aldama grabbed Flagg’s leg, causing him to trip. He also had a verbal spat with Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr. during the fourth, which led to technical fouls for both players.
While the tension was apparent, the Mavericks were also bullied on the boards by the Grizzlies. Dallas had just 41 rebounds, bested by the Grizzlies’ 61. Zach Edey was one of the main reasons for Memphis’ dominance on the boards as he recorded a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds. Williams also had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Grizzlies didn’t have the luxury of having their best two players since Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were unavailable with injuries. Morant is sidelined with a right calf strain. Jackson did not play because of a right ankle sprain. Aldama led the Grizzlies with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Thompson gave the Mavericks momentum heading into the fourth quarter on the final possession of the third quarter. He had just one second to catch the ball turn around and launch a 3-pointer before the third quarter buzzer expired, but it was just enough time for him to connect on his fifth 3-pointer of the night.
Brandon Williams flashed a big smile after draining his first 3-pointer as a 26-year-old. It was the first of many shots that went down for Williams, who scored 18 points on his birthday.
Coming off a career-night on Friday, Flagg was dormant for most of the game until he took the ball coast to-coast for a vicious dunk. On the next play, Aldama pulled his left leg, causing more tension between the two teams. Flagg attempted to confront Aldama about the play, but had to be restrained by an official and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
Former Mavericks forward Olivier Maxence Prosper made his return to American Airlines Center. It was his first game back in Dallas since the Mavericks waived the former first-round pick during the offseason to sign re-sign Dante Exum. Prosper finished with two points and seven rebounds, but there was irony in Prosper’s appearance at American Airlines Center as a member of the opposing team. He took the court there this season before Exum, who will not play this season because he needs a follow-up surgery to repair his right knee.
The Mavericks will now play their next four games on the road, starting with Monday night against the Miami Heat. It is the first game in which Anthony Davis could be eligible to return to the court if he’s cleared by the team’s medical staff
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