MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (2-0) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: Bally’s Sports Southwest/NBA TV
Radio: 97.1 The Freak, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish).
What you need to know: The Grizzlies are coming off a 129-122 victory in Houston on Friday night, in which Ja Morant was an absolute beast. He poured in 49 points and had eight assists. That came after the Grizzlies started the season with an overtime win over Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. The Mavericks, by the way, have not played since their season-opening loss at Phoenix on Wednesday . . . Luka Dončić is off to a strong start after dropping in 35 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists against the Suns. He also hit all 13 of his free-throw tries, although the rest of the team was a combined 8-of-21 . . . Center Christian Wood will look to build on his 25-point, eight-rebound game in the season opener . . . The Grizz are led by Morant, the point guard who owns just a 2-5 record against the Mavericks, but did have a 35-point, 13-rebound showing against them last season. In two games this season, he’s been ably helped by Santi Aldama, the second-year forward who is averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds through two games . . . The Grizzlies hit 45.2 percent (19-of-42) from 3-point range against the Rockets, led by Morant, who connected on 5-of-6 from beyond the arc . . . Says Jason Kidd about the speed that Morant and the Grizzlies possess: “You got to take care of the ball, or they’re going to score. They’re one of the fastest teams in the league.” . . . This is just the second time in franchise history that the Mavericks have opened at home against the Grizzlies. The other time was in 1997, when they were the Vancouver Grizzlies . . . Last season, the Mavericks took three of four meetings against the Grizzlies and have won the season series . . . This could mark the Maverick debut of newcomer Facu Campazzo, the 5-10 guard who was signed earlier this week but did not suit up in the opener at Phoenix . . . Davis Bertāns (right knee effusion) and Frank Ntilikina (right ankle effusion) are both out for this game.
Twitter: @ESefko
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