The Mavs have had difficulties majorly with their top scorer on the bench, however Dirk Nowitzki might finally make a much expected come back.
The struggling Mavs may have Nowitzki back for their game away from home with the Grizzlies on Saturday evening.
Dallas ( 26 - 12 ) lost for the 7th occasion during 9 matchups not having Nowitzki following dropping 101 - 89 to the Spurs on Friday. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle stated following the matchup that the 9 time All Star might be back from a right knee injury just in time to encounter Memphis ( 18 - 21 ) prior back-tracking somewhat.
Nowitzki is putting in 24.1 PPG, however has not played since scoring 13 during a victory on December 27th at Oklahoma Cit Arena vs. the Thunder. The Mavs had been 24 - 5 following that contest & only 1.5 games behind the Southwest Division leading Spurs.
Dallas is behind the Spurs by 7 matchups going into play Saturday.
Nowitzki posted a team best twenty-seven points on 11 of 15 shooting during a 91 - 90 defeat on their home court to the Grizzlies on October 29th. He then put in only 12, however grabbed ten boards during a 106 - 91 win on November 10th in Memphis.
Dallas is 10 - 3 during their previous 13 trips to Memphis.
Shawn Marion directed Dallas having fourteen points Friday while Jason Terry, who'd put in 17.8 during his last 5 matchups, completed having 9 on 3 of 14 shooting.
Terry might rebound back versus the Grizzlies, though, versus whom he's put in 21.2 points during his previous 5 games. He had a team-high 25 coming off the bench within the victory against Memphis in November.
The Grizzlies come back home following closing their 3 game journey away from home on a positive note after defeats to Oklahoma City & Charlotte.
In spite of losing by as much as fourteen on Wednesday, Memphis ( 18 - 21 ) beat the Pistons 107 - 99 behind a 64 point 2nd half, their best of the year.
Zach Randolph carried on his exceptional performance of late with thirty-four points & seventeeen boards. He's putting in 27.0 points & 14.5 boards during his previous 8 matchups.
Randolph has put in 24.3 points, 6.9 more than his career mark, & 11.0 boards during his previous fourteen games versus the Mavs.
Gay is putting in a best for his career 21.1 points so far during 2010-2011, however just 15.3 during 9 career games on their home court against Dallas.
Memphis has picked up 3 consecutive & 4 of 6 on their home court.