Mavs-Grizzlies preview: Memphis is proof things can change quickly

If the Mavericks have a woe-is-us feeling right now, all they have to do is look at Friday night’s opponent to realize that there’s no such thing as hopelessness in the NBA.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ level of despair was every bit as critical last season as the Mavericks’ is right now.

The Grizzlies were going through a deplorable 27-55 season. Their best player, Ja Morant, played only nine games and was a source of controversy after clashing with the league about off-court matters.

They stumbled so badly they got the No. 9 draft pick, took big man Zach Edey, who is having a commendable rookie season, and now they are battling for a home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs just a year after stinking up Beale Street and beyond.

There is no easy blueprint for renovating a season gone bad. Rebuilding quickly can take on many forms. In the Mavericks’ case, getting healthy could do the trick.

Failing that, they can take some comfort in the fact that this summer’s draft is supposed to be deep. It’s gifted at the top, for sure, but even if the Mavericks don’t get one of the top picks, they own their draft pick and will have options. All of that is in the future, though.

For now, they can’t afford to give up on this season yet. They have to start watching the standings, but more importantly start watching the medical report closely. Updates for Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are expected soon.

The Mavericks’ injury situation has reached critical mass. They had only eight available players for the 137-107 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday. Perhaps fate will improve their situation against the Grizzlies.

“We got to stick together, keep fighting and that’s what we’re going to do,” coach Jason Kidd said. “The character of that group, they’re going to fight to the end. No matter who’s in the jersey, we’re going to go out there and try to find a way to win.”

What the Mavericks also will have to do is find somebody to provide some offense. The defense will either be there or not. But in recent games, they have had difficulty scoring. For a team that has averaged 114.6 points per game for the season, they have had 107 or fewer in five of their last six games.

No surprise that they are 1-5 in those games.

Klay Thompson would be the obvious choice to be the featured scorer. He had 28 points against the Bucks.

But getting clean looks for a shooter like Thompson won’t be easy without Kyrie Irving or Davis to create space.

Here’s what else to watch for when the Grizzlies visit American Airlines Center:

• The Grizzlies won 10 of 11 in January and early February, but the sledding has been tougher since. They have lost four in a row (all at home) and seven of their past nine. In Wednesday’s 120-103 loss to Oklahoma City, the Grizzlies shot just 26.5 percent (9-of-34) from three-point range.
• Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies’ leading scorer at 22.7 points per game, is out with a left ankle sprain. Santi Aldama (calf) and John Konchar (knee) are questionable.
• Morant has averaged 20.9 points this season, but in his last five games, he’s averaged 24.4 points. The 6-2 guard also is averaging 7.4 assists for the season.
• The Mavericks should throw out the first game without Kyrie Irving. With only eight players, they were fighting an uphill battle against the Bucks. Having more than eight players would be a good place to start against the Grizzlies. But the injury update remains ominous. Davis (left adductor), Lively (right ankle), Gafford (right knee), Jaden Hardy (left ankle), P.J. Washington (right ankle), Olivier Maxence-Prosper (right wrist) and Kai Jones (left quad) all are out for the Memphis game.
• On the bright side, it appears Caleb Martin is primed to make his Mavericks’ debut. Martin was acquired from Philadelphia last month along with a second-round pick in exchange for Quentin Grimes. Martin has been sidelined for nearly two months with a hip injury but is listed as questionable for Friday, as is Dante Exum (right foot).

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (38-24) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (32-31)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday.

WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas.

TV: KFAA 29, MAVS TVSTREAM, ESPN.

RADIO: KEGL 97.1 FM, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @ESefko