The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t have asked for a better end to the regular-season. They host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night (Saturday morning SA time) – live on SuperSport – trying to tie their longest winning streak this season.
With an 88-86 home win against their Texas rivals Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, the Mavericks extended their winning streak to five.
If they beat the Grizzlies – they lead the 2015-16 season series 2-1 – in the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the two clubs, they will not only secure a playoff berth but also send a message of their intentions in the postseason, and will extend their winning streak to six – their longest streak this season.
Dallas currently rank seventh in the West and look stronger than ever.
Point guard JJ Barea has become a game-changer for Dallas as of late.
He posted a game-high 27 points – including 17 in the first half and 10 in the fourth quarter, to go along with five rebounds and a game-high eight assists in 37 minutes.
He also scored 20 points or more for the fourth straight game (ninth time this season).
“There’s nobody that uses me better than coach,” Barea said of Rick Carlisle. “He always puts me in the best situations. When I come off the bench, I know I have to be aggressive right away. When I know I’m going to play a lot, I can let the game come to me.”
Dallas improved to 7-2 this year when Barea scores 20-plus points and 5-0 when he scores at least 25.
On the other hand the Grizzlies (42-36), who have already sealed a playoff berth, won two of their first three after losing Mike Conley but have since gone 3-10, including losses in seven of eight road games.
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