The injury-ravaged Mavs defeated the Grizzlies on the road behind Luka Doncic, but Ja Morant is still out because of an NBA suspension.

There was no lack of important players out for the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies going into their games on Monday. Luka Doncic was available to set the tone for the Mavs, who won 120-113 to climb to 14-8 on the season while Ja Morant is still out due to a league ban.

The Mavs were without Josh Green (right elbow sprain), Tim Hardaway Jr. (back spasms), Maxi Kleber (dislocated right little toe), Grant Williams (bruised right knee bone), and Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion). Both groups 

The Grizzlies were aggressive early in the game, blitzing Doncic without Irving in the starting lineup. Memphis deliberately varied up their coverages, utilizing ICE coverage with the big man playing closer to the floor, providing full-court pressure, switching at times, and more. 

In order to preserve Doncic’s energy for a demanding schedule, the Mavs started using him more off-ball, starting with Horns’ big man. In triple-threat situations, Dante Exum was required to create rim pressure and patiently assist with half-court execution to get the ball to Doncic. 

The Mavs used Doncic more out of the corner when he came back in the second quarter, forcing the Grizzlies to face-guard him. As initiators, Jaden Hardy and Exum had a significant impact on Dallas. 

Early in a possession, the Mavs started raising the screen, forcing the Grizzlies to switch, which let him enter a step-back three. In order to allow their other guards to attack downhill, Dallas continued to mix in using Doncic as a ball screener. This included Seth Curry’s layup at the 4:23 mark of the second quarter, which put the Mavs up 54-37. 

Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and Luka Doncic

Superstar Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks drives against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Thomas Petre, USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. combined for 36 points early on (Bane scored 15 and Jackson scored 21), but Dallas had no answers for stopping them. The Grizzlies’ supporting cast did not force Dallas to pay for their efforts. While the rest of the team shot 3-12 on threes and 5-20 overall, Memphis’ two available stars hit 13-21 from the field and 5-9 from beyond the arc.

Doncic persisted in being a valuable facilitator and off-ball player. After attempting to apply full-court pressure with a step-back 3-pointer against David Roddy, he felt it. Later, he was deployed out of the dunker’s position for a handoff with Lively. Inside the arc, the roles of distributor and initiator alternated until Horns was once again used for playmaking. 

Jackson frequently forced a run for the Grizzlies by making the Mavs’ defense pay from beyond the arc. With 8:09 remaining in the third quarter, Dallas led by 20, after to a made hook by Lively after a blocked finish. After two made 3-pointers, the Grizzlies responded, bringing the game to 14 points. 

Midway through the third quarter, the Grizzlies cut the lead to one point, but a strong defensive block by Doncic during a spin play gave the Mavs the opportunity to go ahead. In order to have Memphis double-team him from a new area of the court, the superstar Slovenian started to play more out of the post. 

With Hardy making plays early in the fourth quarter, the Mavs, who led 96-79 going into it, were able to extend their lead to 21 points. Memphis successfully attacked the paint to cut Dallas’ advantage to 10 points a couple occasions by being physical, face-guarding Doncic, and getting hot from three-point range.

After the Mavs gave up a run, Doncic’s turnaround jumper following a timeout helped put an end to the game. Memphis started dishing out doubles to the all-star guard, opening up opportunities for Dallas’ supporting players to score. Shortly after, Hardy scored his fifth 3-pointer to seal the game with 3:22 remaining in regulation, increasing the lead to 115-99.

The Mavs make a swift comeback to action on Tuesday at American Airlines Center as they finish the second game of a back-to-back with the Los Angeles Lakers.