Mavs face Grizzlies as Chandler Parsons makes his return to Dallas

Can you feel that? That would be the tension building up between MFFLs and Chandler Parsons heading into Friday night’s matchup, when the Dallas Mavericks take on the Memphis Grizzlies at AAC.

 

The real question, though, is should Mavs fans even be mad at Parsons at this point? As of right now, it looks as if letting Parsons walk was the better move for the Mavs. This is because Harrison Barnes has shown everybody what he’s capable of when asked to be the go-to guy. Barnes is currently averaging 22.9 points-per-game on 49.2 percent shooting from the field, both of which are career highs by significant margins. Not to mention that Barnes is very reliable when it comes to staying on the court. By no means is that a knock on Parsons, but it’s just a fact that his body wasn’t able to hold up during his 2 seasons with Dallas.

 

Even though nothing really went the way he wanted, Parsons still worked his butt off to return from his injuries. He put his all into helping the Mavs front office during the offseason that they almost landed… the center that plays for the Los Angeles Clippers now. That wasn’t his fault, and neither were the injuries. He will probably still get booed though because he came off as being a little too entitled this past summer.

Chandler Parsons on why he deserves a max contract: "Cuz I'm really good at basketball."

— Michael Lark (@Michael_Lark) June 28, 2016

 

Game Preview:

 

Anyway… There is actual basketball that is going to be played, so let’s talk about that a little bit.  The Mavs are about as injury riddled as you could imagine right now. Literally all of their main point guards are injured right now. They’re so desparate at this point that they had to release backup forward, Quincy Acy, in order to bring back Jonathon Gibson, a well-traveled point guard who they cut a few days before the regular season started.

 

After winning their only 2 games of the season in back-to-back fashion, the Mavs (2-8) have dropped 3 consecutive games. Even though Barnes continues to light it up, the mounting injuries have just been too much to overcome.

 

Memphis (6-5) has won 2 straight games, and they’re coming off a very impressive road win against the best team in the West right now, the LA Clippers. I give the Mavs a fighting chance in this one, only because the Grizzlies like to play at a slow pace and grind it out. I think that kind of pace will help keep Dallas in it.

 

Matchup to Watch:

 

Harrison Barnes vs. Chandler Parsons

 

For obvious reasons, this will be the 1-on-1 matchup everyone will have their eyes on Friday night. Nothing more needs to be said here.

 

Injury Updates:

 

Mavs:

Per @MavsPR, J.J. Barea (left calf strain) & Devin Harris (right great toe sprain) are out vs. Memphis. Dirk & D-Will are questionable.

— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) November 18, 2016

Grizzlies:

.@memgrizz Injury Report

PROBABLE
Conley R quad contusion
Parsons L knee

QUESTIONABLE
Allen R groin
Ennis R toe sprain

OUT
Wright L ankle

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) November 17, 2016

 

How to Watch:

 

The game will tipoff in AAC at 7:30 pm CT.  You can watch the game locally on FSSW or on NBA League Pass.