Mavericks vs. Grizzlies Preview: Doncic Out and Big Three Debut Delayed – Can Morant Create a Surprise?

On October 8, the NBA preseason continues with the Mavericks facing off against the Grizzlies.

Firstly, let’s look at the Mavericks’ situation. Last season, they finished fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 50 wins and 32 losses, advancing to the playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Clippers 4-2, then moved on to the next round by beating the young Thunder 4-2. However, in the semifinals, the Mavericks faced the Timberwolves and were eliminated with a total score of 1-4, missing out on the Finals.

In the offseason, the Mavericks made some significant moves. Firstly, they traded Josh Green for Klay Thompson from the Warriors, forming their own big three lineup for the new season. There is no doubt about Klay Thompson’s abilities. As an absolute contributor to the Warriors’ four championships, Thompson possesses top-tier three-point shooting and excellent individual defensive skills. Even after his injury, when he was occasionally benched, Thompson still maintained a decent three-point shooting percentage. If Thompson can continue his form, it will be a significant boost for the Mavericks in the new season.

Secondly, the Mavericks traded away Tim Hardaway Jr. and used three second-round picks to acquire young Quentin Grimes. Lastly, they signed Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million contract. These three significant trades have strengthened the Mavericks’ roster to a certain extent, making them more balanced on both offense and defense. The Mavericks’ overall performance and results last season were quite good. With Doncic, Irving, and the addition of Klay Thompson in the new season, the big three is something to look forward to.

The Mavericks’ performance in the Summer League was very poor, but this does not provide much reference.

As for the Grizzlies, they had a poor start last season due to Ja Morant’s irrational actions. After Morant returned, the team surged forward. It was expected that the Grizzlies would catch up, but unfortunately, Morant suffered an injury after leading the team to a four-game winning streak, once again dimming the team’s hopes. This demonstrated the importance of Morant to the Grizzlies. Coupled with Jaren Jackson Jr.’s absence due to injury, the Grizzlies faced a severe injury crisis and ultimately finished the regular season with a record of 27 wins and 55 losses, ranking third from the bottom in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs.

In the offseason, the Grizzlies renewed Luke Kennard’s contract for one year at $11 million, traded Ziaire Williams and a second-round pick for Diakite. Notably, the Grizzlies drafted Zach Edey with the ninth pick in the draft, which significantly bolstered their frontcourt, and also selected Jalen Williams in the second round.

It is believed that the Grizzlies will come back strong in the new season when they return to full health. They are not lacking in talent, and their youthful energy is the foundation of the Grizzlies. The backcourt combination of Morant and Bane is among the most talented in the league. If Smart can stay healthy in the new season, along with Jaren Jackson Jr., rookie Zach Edey, and others, the Grizzlies are bound to carve out their own territory.

The two teams split their meetings last season. It is understood that GG Jackson will miss tomorrow’s game for the Grizzlies, while V. Williams, Spence, J. Jackson, and Goodwin are questionable. On the Mavericks’ side, Doncic is out, while Irving, Edwards, and Kleber are also questionable. The battle is imminent, with the Mavericks’ big three potentially joining forces. Who will emerge victorious? Let’s wait and see.

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