The long nightmare of a season for the Dallas Mavericks is almost over.
And after what transpired Friday night at the FedEx Forum, the playoff version of this NBA season will continue in earnest without the Mavs being one of the 16 participants.
Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and Troy Daniels combined for 71 points as the Memphis Grizzlies held on to defeat the Mavs 99-90 before 17,317 fans. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Grizzlies, while the magic number for the Mavs to officially be eliminated from postseason contention has been reduced to one.
The next win by Portland or loss by the Mavs will eliminate the Mavs from the playoffs for the second time in the past six season.