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2024-2025 Western Conference NBA Play-In Preview: No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies Vs. No. 10 Dallas Mavericks

Anthony Miranda / NBA / April 18, 2025

2024-2025 Western Conference Play-In Preview: No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies Vs. No. 10 Dallas Mavericks

The final NBA Play-In games will take place on Friday, April 18. Interestingly enough, both games will be eight seeds Vs ten seeds. The Grizzlies lost a nail-biter to the Warriors, and the Mavericks demolished the Kings. Now, every team just needs one more win to secure their spot in the Playoffs. Furthermore, the Heat and the Mavericks both have a chance to be the first ten seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament to advance to the playoffs.

I will be previewing the Western Conference Play-In game between the Grizzlies and the Mavericks. The winner will be the eighth seed in the NBA Playoffs and have a matchup with the number one seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

What to Know About Memphis Grizzlies

Starters:

Jaren Jackson Jr.
Zach Edey

Key Reserves:

The Memphis Grizzlies did not have the season they expected to have in 2025. In what was supposed to be a bounce-back season after last year’s disappointing finish. It did not play out that way as the limped into the Play-In Tournament. However, they have a second chance to win a single-game elimination and stamp their playoff spot.

The second half of the season has been tumultuous to say the least. The Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins at the end of March, and guard Ja Morant has had making headlines with his controversial celebrations. However, worse than his on-court antics is the fact, he is questionable with an ankle injury tonight.

However, this team has found some excitement and success this year. Power Forward Jaren Jackson Jr is still playing at a fantastic level. He averaged 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while once again finishing in Defensive Player of the Year conversations. Also, Memphis has two Rookie of the Year contenders on their roster. Forward Jaylen Wells has been electric all year, but unfortunately, he is ruled out after a scary fall in the last week of the season. Ninth overall pick center Zach Edey has been equally impressive, averaging 9.2 points 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks.

Now, Interim head coach Tuomas Lisalo will try to lead the Grizzlies to the playoffs.

What to Know About the Dallas Mavericks

Starters

SG: Klay Thompson

C: Derek Lively ll

Other Players in Playoff Rotation:

PG: Spencer Dinwiddie

SF: Caleb Martin
C: Daniel Gafford

The new-look Mavericks find themselves one game away from the Playoffs. The expectations for this year have changed after superstar Kyrie Irving was lost for the season with an ACL injury. However, a playoff birth and some competitive basketball against the Thunder in round one could be a huge shot in the arm for the franchise. Mavericks fans were not happy after losing their franchise player, Luka Doncic. If the roster as is can show out to close the season, it could take some pressure off GM Nico Harrison.

Dallas has won one game already after dismantling the Sacramento Kings. The Mavericks shot 50 percent from the three point line shooting 14-28. Also, they were able to create a lot of turnovers and got to the charity stripe frequently in the game. If they can replicate that style of play they should have a good shot to beat the Grizzlies.

Head coach Jason Kidd has done a good job and maneuvering through the wild roster changes and the constant injuries. He will continue to rely on Anthony Davis to be a mismatch on offense and a stalwart on defense. Hopefully, this final NBA Play-In game will be an exciting one to set the stage for the 2024-2025 NBA Playoffs.

2024-25 Eastern Conference First-Round Preview: No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks v. No. 4 Indiana Pacers

Questions for the NBA Play-In Preview

1. Will the Mavericks be able to cause the same chaos on defense?

Dallas stifled the Kings’ offense by causing turnovers and making buckets in the paint tough to finish. The Mavericks are dealing with some injuries, but that allows them to run a heavy wing/big lineup. The shortest starter they have right now is a 6’5” Klay Thompson and that’s with two virtual 7 footers in the frontcourt. Dallas forced nine steals and eight blocks against the Kings.

The Mavericks length could be a huge advantage to create some issues for Memphis. Also, if Morant is compromised at all it makes life that much harder to run a flowing offense. Dallas is not at their peak offensively, but if Davis and Klay can carry the load, then they can get one more win with another suffocating defensive performance.

2. Can Ja Morant and Desmond Bane be the X-Factors?

The Grizzlies and the Mavericks have played twice since the NBA Trade Deadline. However, one game was the last game of the season where both teams rested their starters. The Grizzlies dominated in this game. The other matchup, Memphis won by 11, behind a combined 58 points between Morant and Desmond Bane.

Both teams will need scoring from their benches and have players who have done some damage in matchups this season. However, Morant and Bane will need to strike first and strike often if they want to make the playoffs. They just had a combined 52 points to make that game competitive in the loss to the Warriors, so a bad game from one of them tonight might be the nail in the coffin for the season. Finally, we know this duo is more than capable, as Morant has five of the top eight highest playoff-scoring performances in Grizzlies franchise history, and Bane has two of the remaining three performances.

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