The Dallas Mavericks enter Saturday night’s matchup against the Washington Wizards desperate for a turnaround after a deflating 118–104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. It was the team’s fourth straight defeat, dropping them to 2–7 as they close out their back-to-back set before returning home Monday to host Milwaukee.

The message coming out of Memphis was clear: no one is coming to save them.

“We were all communicating at halftime like, ‘What can we do? No one’s coming to save us,’” guard Max Christie said after scoring 18 points. “This isn’t even on the coaches. This is the players. The coaches are doing everything they can. They’re giving us the answers to the test, but us as players, we are not executing at all.”

Setting the Tone Early

Dallas struggled to match Memphis’ energy from the opening tip, falling behind by as many as 35 points early in the third quarter before showing life late. Christie said the team must bring intensity from the start against Washington.

“That fourth quarter we actually played with some life,” Christie said. “A quick turnaround tomorrow going into Washington, we have to play with that kind of energy. We had no energy for the first three quarters, and so, we just got to be better.”

Head coach Jason Kidd echoed that sentiment pregame, stressing that the Mavericks’ slow starts have become a pattern.

“Getting off to slow starts at home against New Orleans and then again in Memphis is something we have to address and be better at,” Kidd said. “Tonight, with the quick turnaround, we have another opportunity to do that.”

Daniel Gafford’s Role Becomes Critical

With Anthony Davis (left calf strain) and Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain) both sidelined, Daniel Gafford’s availability could be pivotal in stabilizing Dallas’ interior defense. Gafford exited Friday’s game with right ankle soreness but was upgraded to available after testing the injury pregame.

“Back-to-backs are tough, just the mentality to how you approach it,” Gafford said. “You’re going to be tired, you’re going to be fatigued — depending on how the game went the night before. But the most important game is the game you played the day of.”

Gafford, who’s been on a minutes restriction since returning from his ankle sprain, had been trending upward with strong performances earlier in the week. He tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks against New Orleans before leaving the Memphis game in the second quarter.

With Davis and Lively both out, Gafford said he understands his responsibility to “hold it down” until reinforcements return.

“I told them: ‘Hey look man, y’all take time to get y’all bodies right and make sure y’all get back healthy to where y’all feel like y’all are at 100 percent, and I’ll hold it down as much as I can for y’all,’” Gafford said.

Finding Consistency and Confidence

The Mavericks shot 48.8% from the field in Memphis but just 25.6% from three-point range, continuing a trend of cold perimeter shooting. Kidd said the team is generating good looks but failing to capitalize.

“We’re not shooting the three well,” Kidd said. “We’re getting them up and we’re getting wide-open looks there in that first quarter, and the ball’s touching the paint and finding the open guys. We just can’t capitalize on it.”

The team has also relied on contributions from its bench, including Moussa Cissé, who scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just 14 minutes Friday, bringing energy in his return to Memphis.

“His speed at that position being able to cause cross matches on the offensive end, and then defensively he’s competing,” Kidd said. “He’s hungry, and that’s what stands out when you watch him play.”

Keys to Beating Washington

To snap their four-game skid, the Mavericks must avoid another sluggish start and take care of the basketball. Dallas committed 17 turnovers in its Oct. 24 loss to the Wizards — Washington’s only win this season.

Containing Kyshawn George (34 points, 11 rebounds in that first meeting) and Tre Johnson will be essential. The Wizards are coming off a 148–114 blowout loss to the Cavaliers and have struggled to defend the glass, allowing 25 offensive rebounds on Friday.

If the Mavericks can match Washington’s energy early and limit second-chance points, they’ll have a strong chance to close this road trip on a positive note.

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