The Mavericks and Grizzlies will meet in Dallas tonight, the first half of ESPN’s Friday night doubleheader.
This column will examine the latest odds for this Western Conference contest, then shine a light on some best bets and player props from the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Both Dallas and Memphis will be looking to end losing streaks, and the Mavs are still trying to piece things together since the Luka Doncic trade, Anthony Davis injury, and most recently, news of Kyrie Irving’s season-ending ACL tear. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will look to preserve their tiny lead over the Rockets for the No. 4 seed.
Let’s get to the odds for Mavs vs. Grizzlies at American Airlines Arena, then reveal our final score prediction and full betting recommendations.
Mavs vs. Grizzlies: Spread, moneyline, over/under
All odds and props are from BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
- ATS: Grizzlies -8.5 (-110) | Mavs +8.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Grizzlies -340 | Mavs +280
- Over/under: O 229.5 (-105) | U 229.5 (-115)
Memphis has dropped four games in a row and seven of its past 10, but the Mavs haven’t been much better. Memphis hasn’t been particularly good on the road (16-14), but Dallas has lost its past three games by a combined 69 points. The Mavericks are reeling, and Nico Harrison is probably considering a stint in the GM protection program.
Making matters worse for the home team, Dallas just lost Kyrie Irving for the season with a torn ACL. KI joins Anthony Davis (adductor), P.J. Washington (ankle), Dereck Lively (ankle), Daniel Gafford (knee), Jaden Hardy (ankle), and Caleb Marin (hip) on the Mavs’ injury report. Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) is considered week-to-week for the Grizz.
Mavs vs. Grizzlies best bets and final score prediction
ESPN probably didn’t expect the Mavs to be unraveling at this point of the season when it first selected this game as its preferred game to cover tonight. In just a few short weeks, Dallas has traded away its franchise player, lost Anthony Davis after rushing him back from injury post-trade, and lost Kyrie Irving to a season-ending injury. Now comes the slide.
The Grizzlies also endured a big loss of late when then-Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain. That evens the playing field a bit for Dallas — JJJ had been playing phenomenal basketball on both ends of the floor — but it’s still hard to envision this Mavs team staying with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and company.
Memphis comes into this game with probably a similar level of anger as the Mavs’ fanbase (okay, not quite that much anger). The Grizzlies are coming off an embarrassing 17-point home loss to the Western Conference-leading Thunder on Wednesday, and before that, they lost by two points or fewer in three consecutive home games (vs. Knicks, vs. Hawks, vs. Spurs). Taylor Jenkins’ team needs a get-right game, and this seems like a prime opportunity.
Forget about the Mavs without Luka Doncic — they’re 4-9 this season without Kyrie. So, with no Luka, Kyrie, or AD, this is a lottery-level team. Dallas has dropped its past three games by an average margin of 23 points. Do you really think Morant, Bane, and friends are going to let themselves lose to Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and Spencer Dinwiddie? Methinks not. Lay the points for the easy cover.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Grizzlies 121, Mavs 103 — The Grizzlies win and cover (-8.5), while the score goes UNDER the projected total of 229.5 (an even better UNDER might be the Mavs’ team total projection).
Mavs vs. Grizzlies top player prop bet
Zach Edey, C, Grizzlies: OVER 8.5 rebounds (-125)
With JJJ sidelined for a bit, the rookie Edey gets a chance to showcase his potential as a walking double-double. He already averages 9.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but his usage and production obviously increase when the Grizz are down their leading big man.
As long as Edey doesn’t get into foul trouble and Dallas doesn’t turn this game into a track meet, nine rebounds should be an easily attainable target for the Purdue product. He’s grabbed nine-plus boards in three of the Grizzlies’ past four games, including last time out against OKC, despite playing just 20 minutes.
The Mavs are totally depleted down low, turning their hopes on the interior to 24-year-old journeyman Kai Jones. Edey should clean up tonight, no matter how out of hand this game becomes by the second half.
Other bets to consider: Edey double-double (+110); Spencer Dinwiddie OVER 8.5 points (-120); Desmond Bane OVER 2.5 three-pointers (-130)
