3 Things to Consider Before the Dallas Mavericks Face the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Cup
The Dallas Mavericks (2-6) travel to Memphis on Friday night for their first NBA Cup matchup against the Grizzlies (3-6). Both teams are struggling, carrying long losing streaks—three games for Dallas and four for Memphis—and looking for any sign of progress.
A Tale of Two Troubled Teams
The Grizzlies are working to mend their relationship with star guard Ja Morant, while the Mavericks continue to hunt for offensive rhythm and reliability. Even a win tonight won’t solve these deeper structural issues.
Stats Paint a Grim Picture
Statistically, both squads rank among the weakest in the league. Each sits in the bottom five for offensive rating and bottom six for net rating, yet they both play at a top-five pace. In other words, they’re playing poor basketball—and doing it fast.
Rookies Provide a Ray of Hope
The main source of optimism lies in their first-round draft picks. Cooper Flagg for Dallas and Cedric Coward for Memphis bring fresh energy and glimpses of a brighter future. Their duel could mark the beginning of an intriguing rivalry between two young talents.
“May the less bad team win.”
Bonus Fact
Dallas has historically dominated Memphis during the Luka Doncic era, a storyline that adds pressure for both rosters heading into this game.
Author’s summary: Two struggling NBA teams—Mavericks and Grizzlies—meet in Memphis seeking momentum, with attention shifting to promising rookies Cooper Flagg and Cedric Coward.