Memphis Grizzlies (22-36) beat Dallas Mavericks (21-38) 124-105 on the road on Friday, February 27, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Grizzlies had the better start, winning the first 34-20 to lead by 14 after one. The Grizzlies kept the pressure on with a 30-24 second quarter, carrying a 20-point lead into halftime.
The Grizzlies won the third 37-26 to create some separation, taking a 31-point lead into the fourth. The Mavericks took the fourth 35-23; the Grizzlies held on for a 124-105 regulation win.
What decided it
The Grizzlies took better care of the ball, turning it over on 10.7% of possessions compared with 18.3% for the Mavericks. The Grizzlies got more from their shots, finishing at 57% effective field-goal shooting compared with 47.2% for the Mavericks. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Mavericks did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 25 against 19.4. The Grizzlies made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 106 possessions per team, the Grizzlies produced 116.6 points per 100 possessions to 98.7 for the Mavericks.
Who made the difference
Cam Spencer was the game's biggest individual force for MEM: 25 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast on 9-16 shooting. His Game Score of 21.5 led everyone. His team was +10 with him on the floor.
Dwight Powell led the Mavericks with 13 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast on 3-4 shooting, good for a 13.4 Game Score.
Dwight Powell (13 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (16 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Grizzlies entered with about a 34% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Memphis Grizzlies lead 6-1.
The Grizzlies are now 22-36, and the Mavericks are 21-38. The Grizzlies last five before this game: L-W-L-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.