The Dallas Mavericks came from behind a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday. Luka Doncic led the way with 37 points and 12 rebounds, while Dereck Lively III added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Mavericks, who have won five straight games and nine of their last 10, also received 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists from P.J. Washington. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed key back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minutes, finishing with 16 points. Dinwiddie’s 3-pointer with 1:40 left gave the Mavericks a 113-111 lead, and he followed up with another 3-pointer on the next possession.
Ja Morant scored a season-high 31 points for the Grizzlies, who had their six-game winning streak snapped. Desmond Bane added 19 points for Memphis, while Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Santi Aldama came off the bench to score 15 points and pull down eight rebounds.
The game was the final one for both teams in the NBA Cup group stage. With the win, the Mavericks are on track to make the West quarterfinals as a wild-card team.
Dallas shot 18 of 26 free throws in the fourth quarter, completing their largest comeback of the season.
Memphis was down by three at halftime but scored the first 10 points of the third quarter to take a seven-point lead. The Grizzlies then stretched their advantage to 13 late in the quarter, thanks to 10 Dallas turnovers.
Morant scored 11 points in the third, including four in the last eight seconds, giving Memphis a 95-82 lead going into the fourth. The Grizzlies outscored the Mavericks 38-22 in the third.
Dallas led for much of the first half, building a 10-point lead (48-38) midway through the second quarter after Doncic scored on a leaner from the free-throw line and converted the and-one. Doncic had 24 points by halftime, including four 3-pointers.
Memphis was up by one (26-25) after the first quarter but only briefly led in the second, after a 12-0 run gave them a 50-48 lead. Jaylen Wells finished the run with a 3-pointer, but Dallas finished the half strong and led 60-57 at the break.
Morant was limited to five points in the first half, while Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 14 first-half points.
