A total of 12 NBA games adorn Wednesday evening’s slate. One of the most interesting matchups pits a pair of Western Conference postseason contenders against each other. Both the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies could very much stand to earn a win in tonight’s national TV spotlight. It figures to be a tightly contested affair throughout. The NBA betting oddsmakers have labeled the road team as a narrow favorite ahead of this Mavericks vs Grizzlies matchup.
Want more Wednesday night betting action? Check out our preview for Phillies-Mets on the diamond!
Mavericks vs Grizzlies Game Info
Dallas Mavericks (29-24, 16-12 Away) at Memphis Grizzlies (27-25, 13-15 Home)
Date: Wednesday, Apr. 14, 2021
Start Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
Venue: FedExForum — Memphis, TN
Coverage: ESPN
Mavericks vs Grizzlies NBA Betting Odds
Moneyline: DAL: (-145) | MEM: (+125)
Spread: DAL: -2.5 (-110) | MEM: +2.5 (-110)
Total: 225.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Mavericks vs Grizzlies NBA Betting Overview
Mavericks Outlook
Dallas has been sputtering of late, having lost three of their last four games coming into tonight’s NBA betting showdown. Most recently, the Mavs suffered an 18-point home beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers. Luka Doncic piled up 32 points in that loss, but the rest of his supporting cast was nowhere to be found. That includes Kristaps Porzingis, who was not active for the game. The trend of Porzingis being in and out of the lineup this season continues.
The Mavericks have also been in the headlines recently for off-court comments by both Doncic and team owner Mark Cuban. Both men have come out and said that they believe the NBA’s new postseason play-in tournament is a mistake. Given that they would have to face off with the Grizzlies in said tournament if the season ended today, it’ll be interesting to see how tonight’s matchup unfolds.
Mavericks Injury Report
- Out: Tyrell Terry (personal)
Grizzlies Outlook
After taking three out of four road games against Eastern Conference playoff teams, the Grizzlies will aim to conclude a three-game homestand with a victory tonight. Memphis fell to the Indiana Pacers in their return to the Bluff City over the weekend before taking down the Chicago Bulls the following night. The recent success has the Grizz two games over .500 and up to eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
Despite appearing to be the hotter team of late, Memphis is a short NBA betting underdog at home tonight. Center Jonas Valanciunas may very well have something to say about that. The big man has been a double-double machine all season long, but his stat lines have been even larger of late. Valanciunas followed up a massive 34-point, 22-rebound effort in Sunday’s loss with another 26 points and 14 boards just 24 hours later. Ja Morant also had a double-double on Monday with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It’ll be fun to watch him and Luka Doncic duel at the top of the key this evening.
Grizzlies Injury Report
- Out: De’Anthony Melton (knee), Justice Winslow (quad), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee)
Mavericks vs Grizzlies NBA Betting Trends
- Mavericks 2020-21 Betting Trends: 26-27 ATS; 21-32 to the Over
- Grizzlies 2020-21 Betting Trends: 32-20 ATS; 26-26 to the Over
- The Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a road favorite.
- The Grizzlies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following an outright win.
- Under the total has hit in each of the Grizzlies’ last five games as a home underdog.
Mavericks vs Grizzlies Statistics
- Dallas is averaging 111.3 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 19 in the NBA)
- Dallas is surrendering 109.6 PPG on the season (No. 8 in the NBA)
- Memphis is averaging 112.9 PPG this season (No. 14 in the NBA)
- Memphis is surrendering 111.5 PPG (Tied for No. 13 in the NBA)
Mavericks vs Grizzlies Prop Bet
The scoring production of Ja Morant has been down this year relative to the expectations of most in the NBA betting public. After being sidelined by an injury for a handful of weeks early in the season, Morant hasn’t been able to put together big scoring efforts consistently. He had just 13 points in Monday’s win over the Bulls, a number that checks in well below his season average of 18.9 per game.
To go over tonight’s NBA betting prop line of 19.5, Morant would have to outperform his average by 1.1 points. Even in what figures to be an intense head-to-head battle against Luka Doncic, the prudent wager here is to take Morant’s total points under. Unlike the Mavericks, the Grizzlies have a plethora of players capable of putting up points. Morant will certainly get his in addition to setting up his teammates. I just don’t believe his own scoring output will exceed his season average by a full point and change.
