NBA Rumors: Mavericks may catch a break when they face the Grizzlies next week

The Dallas Mavericks are still finding their identity after the Kyrie Irving trade. They are Luka Doncic’s team, but they must figure out how to play together and how they can maximize their superstar duo. Things have not been easy as the Mavs are just 2-4 when both Luka and Kyrie play since pulling off the blockbuster deal.

There have been flashes of greatness, including in the March 2 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Doncic and Irving combined to score 82 points, and it showcased the Mavericks unstoppable offensive potential. Things are starting to look up in Dallas.

Every game matters down the stretch, and the Mavericks may have caught a massive break when they face the Memphis Grizzlies in a home-and-home set on March 11 and 13. Here is a look at what happened, and how it could benefit Dallas.

NBA Rumors: Mavericks may catch a break when they face the Grizzlies next week

Grizzlies star Ja Morant is currently away from the team after showing a gun in his Instagram Live video. The team announced he would miss their next two games, but a suspension is likely on the horizon for the 23-year-old All-Star. Memphis plays three times before facing Dallas in back-to-back games. Depending on the length of his suspension, the two teams face off three times in the Grizzlies' next nine games.

Morant is the engine of Memphis’ attack, but the Grizzlies got more bad news on March 4 as it was announced Brandon Clarke is out for the season with a torn Achilles. That is two key rotation pieces down as the Grizzlies look to stay second in the Western Conference.

The Dallas Mavericks are currently sixth in the West, and they are six games behind Memphis with 18 to go in the regular season. They are unlikely to catch the Grizzlies, but Dallas is just two games behind the fourth-seeded Suns with a massive showdown ahead on Sunday afternoon. The Mavs are also just three games up on the Lakers for 11th, which would mean missing the postseason entirely.

Every game matters down the stretch, and the Mavericks caught a break. Can they take advantage and defeat the Grizzlies twice without their star player? Can Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving make a statement against Memphis without Ja? The Grizzlies are one of the deepest teams in the league, and they certainly won’t give up, so be sure to tune in and enjoy the show.