Before the season tipped off, the Southwest Division looked like it was primed for a dogfight. Every team-Grizzlies included-had playoff aspirations, and on paper, the division had the pieces to make that happen. But as we’ve seen, the road back to postseason relevance has been anything but smooth, largely due to injuries that have disrupted rhythm, rotations, and momentum across the board.
For Memphis, injuries haven’t just been a storyline-they’ve been the storyline. The Grizzlies have struggled to build any real traction, and like their division rivals in Dallas, they’ve spent much of the year trying to stay afloat rather than surge up the standings. Still, despite the setbacks, Memphis has managed to find something that works-especially when it comes to playing the Mavericks.
Memphis Has Dallas' Number-So Far
The Grizzlies have taken the first two matchups against the Mavs this season, and while neither win was a masterpiece, they got the job done. In their most recent meeting, Memphis came out flat in the first half, but responded with a much sharper second-half performance to close out the win. That result wasn’t an anomaly-it continued a recent trend of success against Dallas, including a 3-1 edge in the regular season last year and a win in the play-in tournament.
With two more games left in this season series, Memphis has an opportunity to turn this matchup into a real advantage. But to do that, they’ll need to stay focused on a few key areas.
Perimeter Defense: Force the Mavs Outside
One of the biggest factors in Memphis' success against Dallas has been their ability to dictate where the Mavericks get their shots. As of late January, Dallas ranks in the bottom four in the league in three-pointers made per game.
That’s a telling stat-this isn’t a team that thrives from deep. Instead, the Mavs do most of their damage inside the arc, ranking among the top four in two-point field goals made.
That’s where Memphis needs to tighten the screws. If they can wall off the paint and force Dallas into a perimeter-heavy game, they’ll be playing right into their own defensive strengths. Limiting second-chance points and controlling the boards will also be critical in keeping Dallas from getting easy looks inside.
Turnovers: A Battle of Ball Control
Another area to watch? Turnovers.
Both the Grizzlies and Mavericks are among the top ten in the league in turnovers per game-Memphis averaging 15, Dallas close behind at 14.7. That’s not ideal for either side, but it does present an opportunity.
If Memphis can take better care of the ball while forcing Dallas into mistakes, they’ll tilt the possession game in their favor-and in tight matchups, that can be the difference between a win and a loss.
When the Grizzlies are disciplined with the ball, they’re a tough out. They’ve shown they can capitalize on opponents’ miscues, but they’ll need to do that without getting sloppy themselves. Against a team like Dallas that’s just as turnover-prone, the margin for error is razor thin.
Dallas Keeps Swinging, Even Shorthanded
To their credit, the Mavericks have managed to pull off some impressive wins this season, even while dealing with a revolving door of injuries. They’ve picked up key victories over teams like the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Pistons in an overtime thriller, and even notched a double-digit win over the Rockets-no small feat considering the Rockets' physical style of play.
What makes those wins even more impressive is the state of the roster. Dallas hasn’t come close to full strength.
Anthony Davis has been in and out of the lineup all year, and his latest injury will keep him sidelined again. Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum are also dealing with long-term injuries, and Kyrie Irving has yet to make his season debut after tearing his ACL last year.
Daniel Gafford has missed time as well, though he’s recently returned to the rotation. Through it all, the Mavericks have shown resilience.
They’re not where they want to be in the standings, but they’ve found ways to stay competitive. And with Irving’s return potentially on the horizon, there’s hope that Dallas could still make a push if they can finally get healthy.
Looking Ahead: More Division Drama on Deck
Both Memphis and Dallas are navigating seasons filled with adversity, but the Grizzlies have a chance to turn their recent success against the Mavs into something more meaningful. With two games left in the regular season series, Memphis can not only continue asserting dominance in this matchup but also gain ground in a division that’s still very much up for grabs.
For Dallas, the focus remains on surviving the storm. They’ve shown they can beat quality teams even when short-handed, but the margin for error is slim. If they can get healthy and tighten up the turnover issues, they’ll be a dangerous team down the stretch.
In a Southwest Division that hasn’t quite lived up to its preseason hype, the Grizzlies and Mavericks still have plenty to fight for. And with more head-to-head matchups on the way, don’t be surprised if these games end up carrying serious weight in the playoff picture.