Tim Hardaway Jr. lead the Mavericks with 23 points, while Jaden Hardy finished with 22. Josh Green added 21 points for Dallas.
DALLAS — Rookie David Roddy scored a career-high 24 points, including 17 points in the fourth quarter, as the Memphis Grizzlies rallied for a 112-108 victory over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.
Roddy connected on 7 of 8 shots in the fourth, including 3 of 4 from outside the arc. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 25 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 14 points.
Tim Hardaway Jr. lead the Mavericks with 23 points, while Jaden Hardy finished with 22. Josh Green added 21 points for Dallas.
Two of the NBA’s biggest stars — the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic and Memphis’ Ja Morant — were absent from the game. Doncic has a left thigh strain, while Morant is away from the team after posting a video last weekend in which he appeared to be displaying a gun at a Denver-area strip club.
That eliminated the top scorers from the two Western Conference teams. Then Dallas’ Kyrie Irving was a late scratch with right foot soreness.
But Dallas stayed close in the first half, despite Memphis shooting 55%. And the Mavericks would overtake Memphis in the third. Hardaway had 13 points in the period as Dallas outscored the Grizzlies 33-21.
And the Mavericks continued to extend the lead to open the fourth.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Rookie Jaden Hardy started his first NBA game at G. … Defeated the Grizzlies 137-96 in Dallas’ home opener this season. … Are 12-21 on the road.
Grizzlies: Jones recorded his 2,000th career assist in the second quarter. … Snapped a four-game losing streak to Dallas.
MORE ADVICE FOR MORANT
The troubles with Morant continue to be the talk of the league, whether its questions from the media or responses from coaches. The Grizzlies guard is expected to be away from the team at least two more games.
Prompted by a question, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said sometimes young players are given high status too early. He said it is important for Morant to have someone to talk to without any negativity and provide the right advice. “Hopefully, with the time away from the team, he will become stronger on and off the floor, and he will be able to share his story to become a leader and a mentor.”
UP NEXT
The two teams play each other in Dallas on Monday.