Takeaways from loss to Grizzlies: Transition defense and rebounding must be better

MEMPHIS – With four starters sitting out, the Dallas Mavericks were mere shells of their former selves during Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

With no Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, P. J. Washington or Klay Thompson to help jump-start the offense and defense, the Mavs struggled mightily in losing to the Grizzlies, 132-97, at FedEx Forum. Meanwhile, Memphis outscored the Mavs in fast break points (36-14), in second-chance points (17-16), in points in the paint (68-62), and it also won the rebounding battle, 52-38.

“AD obviously is a big anchor, Dereck Lively (II) is a big anchor, and P.J. is a big body for us, too,” guard Max Christie said. “So, I don’t know if (Sunday) is a great example (of the Mavs’ staying power).

“But regardless, we got to stick to our disciplines, stick to our habits.”

Acquired by the Mavs in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade which sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Christie scored 15 or more points in his first seven games with the Mavs, then tailed off a bit, but has since picked things right back up. He followed up the 17 points he scored Friday against Toronto with 14 points and five rebounds on 6-of-13 shooting against the Grizzlies.

“I think he did come in, he was extremely hot, understanding there is going to be a leveling off,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I think we saw that.

“I thought the last game (against Toronto), his ability to score the three (was solid), but also to drive it was at a high. And we’re going to need that.”

As they prepare to play in their first-ever play-in game — on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday at 9 p.m. — the Mavs also know they need to tighten up their transition defense and do some yeoman’s work on the boards.

“Transition defense is important,” Christie said. “Especially when we play big, we’re not as quick against smaller teams. If we get teams in the halfcourt defensively, it’s very tough to score on us.

“So, if we can continue to focus on that, and then offensively, we’ve got weapons that’ll take care of itself. But we need to hang our hats on the defensive end.”

In ending the regular season with a 39-43 record, the Mavs in addition had an issue at point guard after Brandon Williams suffered a left oblique strain in the first half of Sunday’s game.

“I didn’t even notice, to be honest, until halftime when I saw him in (the locker room),” Christie said. “I’m not sure what it was.

“Again, next man up at this point. That’s how the NBA works.”

Unfortunately for the Mavs, they’ve had more than their fair share of injuries this season and too many conversations about the next man up.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries,” Kidd said. “It’s hard to win in T-shirts and sweaters and not in a uniform.

“So, the best chance for us is if we’ve got guys in uniform. That’s the best chance, and a fighting chance, to win at home or on the road in the play-in game.”

Here are the takeaways from the 35-point loss to the Grizzlies.

*Mavs center Daniel Gafford enjoyed a near-perfect game against the Grizzlies in workmanlike fashion. Once the day was done, Gafford scored a team-high 20 points in only 19 minutes. The six-year veteran was a very efficient 80 percent from the field (8-of-10) and 80 percent from the free throw line (4-of-5). Gafford also grabbed seven rebounds, including a game-high tying five offensive rebounds. In fact, he had half of the 10 offensive rebounds the Mavs finished with in the entire game.

*Kai Jones was back doing Kai Jones things. In what was the last regular season game for Jones on his two-way contract, the player from the University of Texas collected 11 points, a team-high eight rebounds, two assists and one steal in 26 productive minutes. The backup center was 5-of-7 from the field and brought the type of energy to the Mavs that he always brings when he’s on the court.

*The Grizzlies had four players score at least 22 points. The list includes Lamar Stevens (31 points), Marvin Bagley III (25 points), Cam Spencer (23 points) and Jay Huff (22 points). Bagley also contributed 11 rebounds, Spencer had seven assists and three steals, Stevens dragged down six rebounds, and Huff added six rebounds, six blocks and two steals.

X: @DwainPrice