MEMPHIS -- The Western Conference’s eighth seed is up for grabs as the Memphis Grizzlies host the Dallas Mavericks – Friday, April 18 – at FedEx Forum. The game will broadcast live on ESPN with tip-off at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. (8:30 p.m. Central) The winner will face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, while the loser will be eliminated from the postseason. How do I watch Mavericks vs. Grizzlies for free today? Fans who’ve cut the cord on cable can stream the game on DirecTV Stream (free trial), FuboTV (free trial) or Sling (promotional offers). After a tumultuous year that included trading away generational star Luka Doncic and suffering a bevy of injuries, the Mavericks (40-43) are one win away from officially punching their ticket to the NBA Playoffs. A far different scenario from the team that came up shy in the NBA Finals a year ago. After crawling to the finish line of the regular season, Dallas silenced the critics – and the crowd – with an overwhelming 120-106 performance against the Sacramento Kings in the 9-10 game, setting up a winner-take-all for the final playoff spot. Anthony Davis, who was acquired for Doncic, is meshing well in Dallas, when healthy. He notched 27 points, nine rebounds and three blocks against the Kings. in 10 games with Dallas, Davis is averaging 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field. The Mavericks are 7-3 when Davis plays. Shooting guard Klay Thompson is riding an emotional wave this season. He turned back the clock with a 23-point, five rebound performance in one of the most hostile venues in the league. Thompson is averaging 14 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 41.2% from the field, including 39.1% from beyond the arc. If Dallas is going to reach the playoffs, the Mavericks will have to do it without star point guard Kyrie Irving, who tore his ACL late in the season. The Grizzlies (48-35) have dealt with their own internal drama as the franchise fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with nine games left to play, despite occupying the fifth seed in a logjam known as the Western Conference playoff race. They are 4-6 since parting ways with Jenkins, including a pair of double-digit losses. Memphis nearly erased a double-digit deficit, but ultimately fell short against the Golden State Warriors, 121-116 in the 7-8 game. This is the Grizzlies last chance to salvage a season that is teering on disaster. Ja Morant tallied 22 points, three rebounds and three assists in the Play-in opener. He is questionable for tonight’s pivotal game with an ankle injury. Morant averages 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 45.4% from the field. Memphis won three of the four matchups against Dallas in the regular season with a 20.3 average margin of victory. Davis was not available for any of those matchups. Is Anthony Davis playing today? Yes, Anthony Davis is expected to play in the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Play-in elimination game against the Memphis Grizzlies today. Davis is listed as probable with a left adductor strain. Is Ja Morant playing today? Ja Morant’s availability for the Memphis Grizzlies’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Play-in elimination game remains uncertain. He is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. Here’s more information on how to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Play-in Tournament: Who: NBA Play-in Tournament West 8th seed game: Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis GrizzliesWhen: Friday, April 18, 2025Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern (8:30 p.m. Central)Where: FedEx Forum | Memphis, Tenn. Channel: ESPNBest streaming options: FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) or Sling (promotional offers)