The Dallas Mavericks claimed a big win over the Memphis Grizzlies 137-96 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday.

Though the Grizzlies beat the Rockets in a high-scoring game less than 24 hours ago, they didn't seem too low on energy against the Mavericks. However, without De'Anthony Melton (who left during the offseason), Dillon Brooks (thigh injury) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (right foot injury), there wasn't much the team could do to contain Luka Doncic.

It took Doncic less than 30 minutes to score 32 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Having watched him shoot 8-for-10 from the field, including going 3-for-4 from downtown, to get 21 points in the first quarter, the Grizzlies had to begin double-teaming him in as early as the second quarter.

Nonetheless, such radical defense only enabled Doncic to give full play to his orchestrating talents as he delivered eight assists in the second and third quarters with only three turnovers. When he finished his work at the end of the third quarter, the game was long gone as the Mavericks were leading 99-71.

By contrast, Ja Morant failed to beat the cage the Mavericks designed to trap him. The Mavericks' defenders don't share the athleticism of the young Rockets, but they have better discipline. Whenever Morant approached the paint, he would soon face double- or even triple-teaming while the fourth Maverick stood between Morant and a legit 3-point shooting threat.

Morant could still use his epic explosiveness and epic leaping ability to make a "play of the day" shot from time to time, but it was not sustainable. The Mavericks allowed him to pass to shooters like Santi Aldama, John Konchar, and David Roddy, whom combined to shoot 2-for-10 in triples, but not to Desmond Bane, who made two of his five 3-pointer attempts.

Though Morant is a first-class passer, at least at the moment, he (1.9 meters tall) doesn't have Doncic's height (2.01 meters) or the court vision that comes along with the size.

The Mavericks' rotation arrangements for Doncic in Saturday's game were to have him play for the whole first quarter and then take a six-minute-long break in the first half of the second quarter. When Doncic was on the bench, Christian Wood managed to keep the team's guns hot with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. He also walked to the free throw line 14 times and made 12 shots there.

Other games on Saturday (away teams come first):

San Antonio Spurs 114-105 Philadelphia 76ers

Whoever thought the Spurs would begin to tank for Victor Wembanyama when they traded Dejounte Murry away to the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason may want to think again. The Spurs won two of their first three games of the 2022 regular season after beating the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. They had six players score in double digits, led by 22 points of Devin Vassell.

Joel Embiid finally found his aggressiveness back as he earned 15 free throws (and made 12) and went 9-for-15 in the paint to score 40 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers. Tyrese Maxey contributed 25 points as well. However, James Harden underperformed this time as he missed 14 of his 18 field goal (FG) attempts to get only 12 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Unfortunately, the 76ers will have to wait longer before they can see Harden and Embiid dominate the opponents in the same game.

Cleveland Cavaliers 128-96 Chicago Bulls

Donovan Mitchell secured his first win since he joined the Cavaliers while dropping 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists against the Bulls at the United Center. He and Kevin Love, who shot 5-for-6 from deep off the bench, became two unstoppable firing points for the team. Besides for Love, the Cavaliers saw another two backup players, Cedi Osman and Robin Lopez, score over 10 points too.

Zach Lavine came back from injury for the Bulls on Saturday night and had 23 points and four assists. Nonetheless, his efforts were not enough to get the home team a win because the other member of their star duo, DeMar DeRozan went 3-for-9 from the field for only 13 points before he was ejected with two technical fouls in the fourth quarter.

Houston Rockets 105-125 Milwaukee Bucks

Having failed to stop Morant from scoring 49 points at Toyota Center on Friday, the Rockets watched Giannis Antetokounmpo drop 44 points and 12 rebounds at the Fiserv Forum on Saturday. In less than 28 minutes, the "Greek Freak" shot 17-for-21 in FGs and 8-for-13 in free throws, showing rookie Jabari Smith Jr. how a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player dominate the game.

Detroit Pistons 115-124 Indiana Pacers

Boston Celtics 126-120 Orlando Magic

Toronto Raptors 109-112 Miami Heat

Oklahoma City Thunder 117-122 Denver nuggets

Los Angeles Clippers 111-109 Sacramento Kings