Mavericks 120–112 Grizzlies: Khris Middleton’s 22-Point Fourth Quarter Snaps Dallas’ Eight-Game Skid – Sportsphere24 Updates

 Mavericks 120–112 Grizzlies: Khris Middleton’s 22-Point Fourth Quarter Snaps Dallas’ Eight-Game Skid – Sportsphere24 Updates

The Dallas Mavericks finally stopped the bleeding. They snapped an eight‑game losing streak with a 120–112 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, riding a season‑high 35 points from Khris Middleton, a monster 22‑point fourth quarter, and a dominant inside night from Daniel Gafford.​

Middleton’s 35 and explosive fourth quarter

Khris Middleton delivered the exact kind of performance that drives phrases like “Khris Middleton 35 points,” “Middleton fourth‑quarter takeover,” and “Mavericks vs Grizzlies highlights.” He scored 35 overall and, crucially, 22 in the fourth, repeatedly bailing Dallas out with tough pull‑up jumpers, step‑back threes and composed drives once Memphis had clawed back into the game.​

By the end of the third quarter, the Mavericks’ 20‑point first‑half lead had shrunk to 86–84, and momentum seemed to be tilting toward Memphis. However, Middleton exploded in the final period, spearheading a 19–4 run that turned a 91–89 edge into a 103–91 cushion with 8:03 remaining—exactly the kind of swing fans will search via “Mavs 19–4 run vs Grizzlies” and “Middleton clutch stretch.”

Daniel Gafford owns the paint

Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford gave Dallas the interior presence it has often lacked during its slump. He posted 22 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the paint on both ends, which fits neatly into search terms like “Daniel Gafford 22–14,” “Mavericks points in the paint,” and “Mavs rebounding vs Grizzlies.” He finished lobs, attacked the offensive glass and protected the rim, giving the Mavericks second‑chance points and discouraging Memphis from living at the basket.​

In addition, Gafford’s screening and rolling opened up space for Middleton and the Dallas guards. Each time the Grizzlies tried to step up onto ball‑handlers, Gafford slipped into open lanes, forcing rotations that created kick‑out threes—exactly the sequences people will look for when they search “Mavs pick‑and‑roll vs Grizzlies defense.”​​

Cooper Flagg’s all-around impact

Rookie Cooper Flagg continued to show why he is one of the most‑watched young players in the league. He finished with 13 points and 7 assists, providing secondary playmaking and steady scoring, which will drive emerging terms like “Cooper Flagg highlights,” “Cooper Flagg 13 points 7 assists,” and “Mavericks rookie impact.” He pushed in transition, hit timely threes and found Gafford and shooters out of pick‑and‑rolls, helping Dallas build its early 34–22 first‑quarter lead and 65–54 halftime advantage.​

Consequently, when you write your Sportsphere24 Updates article, you should give Flagg a dedicated paragraph: fans searching beyond Middleton’s heroics will want quick, SEO‑friendly context on how the No. 1 pick influenced the game flow.​​

Grizzlies’ rally falls short

On the other side, Memphis produced another gritty, but ultimately incomplete, comeback attempt. They outscored Dallas 30–21 in the third quarter, trimming what had been a 20‑point deficit all the way down to two, which naturally ties into searches like “Grizzlies third‑quarter run,” and “Memphis rally vs Mavericks.” Giannis (GG) Jackson, Jaden Hardy, and the Grizzlies’ young core pushed the pace, hit threes and turned defense into offense to drag themselves back into contention.​

However, once the fourth quarter started, Memphis “ran out of answers” for Middleton and Gafford. Their defense broke down during that 19–4 Dallas run, closeouts were a step late, and their own offense slipped into rushed jumpers—fuel for frustrated queries like “Grizzlies late‑game offense,” “Memphis cannot close,” and “Grizzlies fall to 23–42.”