DALLAS _ In NBA "B" game action on Friday night, the Mavericks lost to Memphis, 122-112, at the American Airlines Center.
"We just didn't play hard," coach Rick Carlisle said. "It was the same way the last time we played these guys. They play with more force."
Both teams are angling for a better spot in the draft. The abundance of substitutes on the floor throughout reflected that.
For example, guard Daryl Macon played 21:03 for the Mavericks. He had averaged six minutes for six games before this.
The Mavericks went without rookies Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic and center Dwight Powell. Doncic has a contusion on the right thigh. Brunson and Powell needed a break, Carlisle said.
The threesome has combined for 41 points, 15.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game this season.
Carlisle stressed that with three games remaining in the season, Doncic has not been shut down.
"If he was considerably injured and that was the right thing to do, we'd do it," Carlisle said. "That hasn't been determined yet."
With the loss, the Mavericks have the sixth-worst record (31-48) in the NBA. Memphis, New Orleans and Washington are in hot pursuit.
According to the NBA, the No. 6 team has a 9.0 percent chance of getting the top pick. Each spot after that has its possibility drop by 1.5 percent.
There is also the chance to get into position for a high choice if the first pick goes elsewhere. After the first four positions are filled through the lottery, the remainder of the draft order will be determined by teams' records.
Memphis blitzed the Mavericks' interior defense, scoring 58 points in the paint. Grizzlies guard Delon Wright had his first career triple with 26 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.
There was some saving grace for the Mavericks from Dirk Nowitzki, whose final home game could be on Tuesday depending upon his career decision.
Nowitzki recorded his first dunk of the season in the opening minute and had seven defensive rebounds, giving him 9,999 for his career. Only four players have reached five figures in career defensive rebounds: Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnet, Karl Malone and Robert Parrish.
"We played a lousy game, and there still are amazing things to say about Dirk," Carlisle said. "Three more games, and we'll see what he decides."
