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Winner advances to face the Oklahoma CIty Thunder in the first round, loser is off to Cancun.

Catch the game tomorrow at 9:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Dallas Mavericks (39-43 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Klay Thompson
  • Naji Marshall
  • PJ Washington
  • Anthony Davis
  • Dereck Lively II

The Mavericks cruised in the West’s 9 vs 10 Play-In matchup vs. the Sacramento Kings, 120-106. It was an all-around effort that was mainly powered by Anthony Davis’s 27 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, and Klay Thompson’s 23 points with five three-pointers.

We should see Davis and Thompson remain hungry as they are aging stars that have a chip on their shoulders. They’ll have plenty of help from PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, and Max Christie. It’s a big and feisty group that can hound the Grizzlies and also provide buckets.

We’ll see how much the defense has prepared for Ja Morant’s electric game, but they ought to stay the course and bring it once again on offense as well.

HOME:  Memphis Grizzlies (48-34 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Ja Morant
  • Desmond Bane
  • Vince Williams Jr.
  • Jaren Jackson Jr.
  • Zach Edey

The Grizzlies lost a close vs. the Golden State Warriors, 121-116. They ought to practice a ton on execution as the hard-fought game was basically decided on their embarrassing five-second violation at the most crucial time.

Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. will remain as the team’s lead trio. They collectively provide a ton, but are now under pressure to deliver with the season on the line – a playoff spot was once almost assured until their late-season freefall in the standings.

The Grizz’s ‘B-Team’ routed the Mavs’ ‘B-Team’ (though it included some rotation guys) just last week, 132-97. We’ll see if that generated some confidence that could translate tomorrow.

Morant will be looking to attack downhill as he always, but how he reacts to the Mavs’ size, especially how he’ll facilitate Bane and JJJ, is one to look out for.

PICKS:

Spread: Mavericks (+6.5)

Over/Under: Over (221)

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