Dallas at Memphis

Dallas has a fiery, demanding coach in Rick Carlisle, who also happens to be an above-average coach (see the championship run a year ago). Dallas has plenty to play for, trailing this Memphis team by one game for the No. 5 playoff seed, and comes off a tough loss at home to Portland, blowing a big halftime lead. Dallas got outscored 30-10 in the third quarter. The Mavericks lost a game they had no business losing 99-97, when Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge sank a 17-foot jumper at the buzzer in overtime. They are in bounce-back mode and have won three in a row following a loss, including twice as a road dog at Houston (+3) and at Orlando (+5.5). They face a Memphis team that is just No. 19 in points scored and No. 15 in rebounds. Dallas has already beaten Memphis this week 95-85, shooting 50% and allowing 42%, plus winning the rebound battle by +5. Play the Dallas Mavericks on the moneyline.