Recap: Without Ja Morant, Grizzlies win third-straight game with road win over Mavericks

The Memphis Grizzlies just weren’t going to lose on Tuesday night.

A day after star guard Ja Morant was ruled out for the season with a labral tear, the Grizzlies went in to Dallas and — despite also playing without Jaren Jackson Jr. and losing Marcus Smart to a finger injury in the third quarter — beat the Mavericks 120-103 at American Airlines Center.

It was an impressive win for Memphis, which rode Smart and Desmond Bane to a dominant win in a game the Grizzlies entered as 10-point underdogs. The Grizzlies jumped out to an early lead and held on to it throughout the game, withstanding 30-plus point performances from Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić.

Smart had 23 points and four rebounds before he left the game in the third quarter. Bane had 30 points to pace the Grizzlies, who won their third-straight road game after beating the Lakers and Suns earlier on the road trip.

Memphis, playing without six injured players, needed to get major contributions from a bench unit that has struggled this season. And it happened in a big way, as Ziaire Williams, David Roddy and Xavier Tillman all scored in double figures.

The Grizzlies return home to face the LA Clippers on Friday at FedExForum.

Fourth quarter

5:24 left: Memphis is back up by 18. Every time it looks like Dallas is ready to make a run, the Grizzlies shut it back down.

7:43 left: The Grizzlies still have a 15-point lead, even as Marcus Smart was ruled out for the rest of the game with a finger injury. Irving and Doncic have combined for 60 points, and they'll need to score a lot more if the Mavericks are going to come all the way back.

Third quarter

End of quarter: Grizzlies 103, Mavericks 83.

7:38 left: It's more of the same. The Grizzlies built the lead to 18 points thanks to a three-pointer from Smart, who's now up to 23 points in the game.

Second quarter

Halftime: Grizzlies 68, Mavericks 53. The Grizzlies have asserted themselves throughout the first half and deservedly have the lead. Smart and Bane each have 14 points to lead the way for Memphis, which is shooting 52 percent from the field so far. David Roddy has been a spark off the bench with 11 points. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have both been able to score consistently, but the Grizzlies have limited everyone else and they're the only two Mavericks players with more than five points.

4:11 left: Memphis is up 56-40 and is playing inspired basketball at both ends of the court. Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart are spearheading the performance, but the Grizzlies are getting contributions from all over the floor.

7:50 left: The Grizzlies have extended the lead and have control of the game. It's 42-31 and Memphis is getting all the looks it wants on offense. A really impressive start to this game from the Grizzlies, even with so many players out with injuries.

First quarter

End of quarter: Grizzlies 29, Mavericks 22.

2:58 left: The Grizzlies have responded with a run and forced Jason Kidd to take a timeout with the Grizzlies up 25-18. Marcus Smart has eight points to lead the way and just hit Bismack Biyombo with a behind-the-back pass for an easy dunk.

6:48 left: The Mavericks have built a four point lead and have shot the ball well to start the game. The Grizzlies, without Morant and Jackson, are going to need major contributions from other players to be able to keep pace with the Mavericks throughout the game.

Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama ruled out for Grizzlies

The Grizzlies will be severely shorthanded on Tuesday night, because Jackson and Aldama were both ruled out before tipoff. That means the Grizzlies have six players out with injuries.

Grizzlies prepare for season without Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies will take the court Tuesday with a completely new outlook on their season.

The team announced Monday night that star guard Ja Morant will miss the rest of the season after suffering a labral tear in his right shoulder. That put a significant damper on what's been a positive stretch for the Grizzlies, who have won back-to-back road games and seemed finally to be building momentum.

Now the season's outlook has completely changed, with a playoff appearance a major longshot. The Grizzlies (13-23) will meet the Dallas Mavericks (22-15) at the American Airlines Center on Tuesday night with a chance to win their third game in a row.

The injury problems don't end with Morant. Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed as questionable for Tuesday night's game because of a right knee contusion, while Santi Aldama is listed as doubtful because of a left knee contusion. Derrick Rose is still out because of a left hamstring strain, Morant and Steven Adams are done for the season and Brandon Clarke is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.

The Mavericks have won three games in a row and are rolling. The Grizzlies will return home after Tuesday's game for a three-game homestand.

Follow along for live updates.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Mavericks on today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast/NBA TV

• Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Mavericks start time

• Date: Jan. 9

• Time: 7:30 p.m. CT

Grizzlies live score updates vs. Mavericks

Grizzlies vs. Mavericks betting odds

• SPREAD: Mavericks -9

• MONEY LINE: Mavericks -380, Grizzlies +300

• OVER/UNDER: 235

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Recap: Grizzlies win third-straight game with road win over Mavericks