Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) vs Dallas Mavericks (39-43)
Game Info: Friday, April 18, 2025 at 9:30 pm (FedExForum)
Betting Odds: Memphis Grizzlies -6 -- Over/Under: 221.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN
The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks are set to clash in a decisive NBA Play-In Tournament game on Friday, April 18, 2025, at FedExForum in Memphis. The winner will secure the Western Conference's eighth seed and advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, while the loser's season will come to an end.
The Grizzlies, who finished the regular season as the eighth seed, are favored by 6.5 points. However, their star point guard, Ja Morant, is a game-time decision due to a right ankle injury sustained during their previous play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks, entering as the tenth seed, have faced a tumultuous season marked by significant roster changes, including the midseason trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite these challenges, Dallas secured a 120–106 victory over the Sacramento Kings in their previous play-in game, led by Anthony Davis's 27 points and 9 rebounds, and Klay Thompson's 23 points with five three-pointers.
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Klay Thompson Over 14.5 Points
Klay Thompson is averaging 14.0 points per game. His shooting percentages include 41.2% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. In the Mavericks' recent 120–106 Play-In Tournament victory over the Sacramento Kings on April 16, Thompson scored 23 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, along with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Klay Thompson has a ton of experience playing in these big games with his time at Golden State. That was evident in the Mavs' first play-in game against the Kings. If the Mavs want to stay in this game, Klay Thompson will need to be utilized.
Desmond Bane Over 22.5 Points
Desmond Bane is averaging 19.1 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.7%, a three-point percentage of 39.3%, and a free throw percentage of 88.2%. We saw Bane score 30 points against the Warriors in Memphis’s first play-in game. It’s obvious that Memphis wants to get Bane involved, and with the amount of attention Morant garners from defenses, I expect Bane to have ample opportunities to score the ball in this one.
Jaren Jackson Jr Under 20.5 Points
Jackson Jr is averaging 22.2 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.8% and a three-point percentage of 37.5%. Jackson also contributes 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, while playing an average of 29.8 minutes per contest. Jackson Jr. scored just 18 points against a Warriors team that plays “small ball”. Now he’ll have to deal with Anthony Davis and Derrick Lively in the paint. I expect more of the Grizzlies' points to come from the perimeter.
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AUTHOR: Brad Francis
