Grizzlies 92, Mavericks 82
MEMPHIS - The Memphis Grizzlies used a 14-0 run in the third quarter to pull away from the Dallas Mavericks and post a 92-82 victory Friday night at FedExForum for their 23rd victory in their past 25 home games.
Tied at 49-all early in the third period, the Grizzlies (18-6) began their run on a basket by Zach Randolph and closed it with a steal and a layup by Tony Allen for a 63-49 lead. The Grizzlies stretched their advantage to 17 points (69-52) on a driving dunk by reserve center Marreese Speights.
Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies, who ended a three-game homestand, with 26 points. Randolph finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, his league-leading 20th double-double of the season.
Vince Carter and Shawn Marion led Dallas with 14 points apiece, but O.J. Mayo, the former Memphis Grizzlies guard, was held to 10 points. Mayo entered the game ranked ninth in the NBA in scoring at 20.2 points per game.
The Grizzlies led 69-57 entering the final quarter, but the Mavericks - still minus Dirk Nowitski, who's not expected back until after Christmas - cut the advantage to 76-73 with 6:15 left after a Dominique Jones' three-point play was followed by a short baseline jumper by Marion.
But Memphis regrouped behind consecutive three-point plays by Gay and Randolph for an 82-73 cushion. Dallas made one last run, but Grizzlies center Marc Gasol grabbed two offensive rebounds during a late Memphis possession and closed it with 22-foot straightaway jumper for a 90-82 lead with 41 seconds to go. Gasol also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Memphis built an early 12-point lead (16-4) and led 25-16 at the end of the first quarter as the Mavericks missed 18 of their 25 shot attempts. The Grizzlies were unable to maintain a comfortable lead as they nearly matched the Mavericks' first-quarter futility in the second quarter by missing 16 of their 23 attempts.
The Mavericks closed the first half on a 12-2 run to trim the Grizzlies' advantage to 40-39. Carter sparked the Dallas comeback with a three-point play during the closing first-half run and had nine points at the break.
Neither team shot well in the opening half. Memphis was 17-of-45 for 37.8 percent and Dallas was 15-of-44 for 34.1 percent. The Grizzlies missed each of their five 3-point tries.
NOTES: An injury-laden Dallas Mavericks team entered Friday's game against the Grizzlies without 11-time NBA all-star Nowitzki, who has yet to play this season following knee surgery, and starting point guard Derek Fisher, who suffered a right patellar tendon strain Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Forward Elton Brand (groin strain) also missed the game. But Brandan Wright, a needed big body against the Grizzlies physical front line, was given clearance to play after spraining his right ankle on Tuesday against the 76ers. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said Brand, in his 13th NBA season "is making progress" toward returning soon. ... Carlisle said he understood former Grizzlies guard Mayo would be in a unique position facing his former team. Mayo spent his first four seasons with the Grizzlies before signing with the Mavericks in the offseason. "The important thing is for him to be patient and disciplined," Carlisle said. "He has to let the game come to him, even though he is an aggressive player." ... Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and his wife, Angie, on behalf of Lionel Hollins Charities and in conjunction with Books from Birth, are donating 300 books to Sandy Hook Elementary school survivors in Newtown, Conn.
