3 Studs, 2 duds in Mavericks' shorthanded loss to Grizzlies

4. Dud - Dereck Lively II

This dud truly came down to a few different players. Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper were all considered here.

Green played a decent game. In a starting role, the Aussie guard scored double-digit points and recorded five assists. However, he shot 4-of-10 from the field and turned the ball over three times.

As for Hardy, he played 21 minutes but just scored nine points. A season ago, when Hardy played more than 20 minutes, he was almost guaranteed to score more than 15 points. While Hardy did some good things, a nine-point outing was disappointing.

Against Memphis, Dereck Lively II only scored four points and recorded five rebounds. The all-hands-on-deck approach was in full force tonight, yet Lively II failed to make much of a contribution.

Playing without Doncic may have drastically affected Lively II's performance. Doncic is one of the best passers in the NBA, so playing without such a phenomenal passer is a major disservice to an athletic big man like Lively II.

The Dallas youngster recorded two blocks, but the Grizzlies were able to get to the rim at will in the game. The perimeter defenders needed to play better. Funneling drives to Lively II is good in theory, but the young big man isn't completely ready to handle such a burden.

Multiple Grizzly guards, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams, and Jaylen Nowell, all scored numerous paint buckets without a decent-enough contest.