I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket here, but if you want my take on the Memphis Grizzlies' and Dallas Mavericks' upcoming clash, be ready to brush dust off your calculator.
The Mavericks have been dipping without the dynamic duo, Anthony Davis, and the unfortunately ACL-torn Kyrie Irving. These players have been pivotal with 26.0 and 26.2 points per game, respectively. Losing them, needless to say, is a significant blow. Kai Jones is out too, narrowing their options even further.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have some injuries, sure. Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. got sidelined. But having Ja Morant, who's scoring 22.4 points per game, and Desmond Bane with his 20.8 points per game still in the court, gives the Grizzlies a particular edge.
Regard past encounters, last three out of five times the Grizzlies had the upper hand. Plus in the regular season records, the Grizzlies are trotting with a 38-24 win-loss, while the Mavericks are barely keeping their head above the tide with a 32-31 score. Speaking of their spots on the leaderboard, the Grizzlies are 4th in line in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks are just clinging onto the 10th.
In conclusion, with the Mavericks' heavy hitters benched, it's standard to lean towards the Grizzlies. Hey, don't shoot the messenger, but it seems like an uphill battle for the Mavericks.
Albert’s Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies by 11