Newly acquired center Nerlens Noel will be inserted into the Dallas Mavericks' starting lineup Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time. 

The expectation was to have him start for the team earlier in the week, but a situation out of Noel's control changed that thought process. 

The former Philadelphia 76ers big man is averaging 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 23.7 minutes during his first three games with the Mavericks. 

Dallas hopes to see Noel take on a larger role offensively while potentially hitting the 30-plus minute plateau on a consistent basis. It surely won't be easy pickings Friday against a Grizzlies team that has yielded the eighth-fewest fantasy points to centers on the season.