Mavericks111, Grizzlies 99
DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 and the Dallas Mavericks downed the Memphis Grizzlies 111-99 Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
The Mavericks (2-1) sprinted ahead early and held the lead for the rest of the game against their Southwest Division rivals. Nowitzki joined five teammates in double figures, including the entire starting lineup.
Dallas forward Shawn Marion had his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Samuel Dalembert nearly joined Marion with 14 points and nine boards. Jose Calderon scored 15 and dished out five assists. Monta Ellis added 18 points and Vince Carter chipped in 11 off the bench.
The Grizzlies' heavy lifters each had solid games. Mike Conley scored 24 and had eight assists. Marc Gasol had 23 points, and Zach Randolph racked up 21 points and 14 rebounds.
The Mavericks were outrebounded and shot a lower percentage from floor, but enjoyed a sizable 18-point edge in made free throws. Dallas took 23 foul shots in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks, up 73-63 after the third, held a comfortable lead for much of the final period. Dallas kept the Grizzlies at bay with a steady parade to the free-throw line down the stretch.
Dallas had its way with the Grizzlies at both ends of the court for much of the first half, but went into the break up only 49-43. Memphis cut into most of a 21-point deficit with a 17-2 spurt to finish the second quarter.
Calderon had 13 points in the half and Nowitzki scored 11. Dalembert had eight points and seven boards. Dallas, though, missed 13 of 18 shots in the second period.
Randolph had 10 points and nine rebounds at intermission. Gasol, Conley and reserve guard Jerryd Bayless each scored eight. Memphis held advantages in fastbreak points (17-10) and points in the paint (20-14).
After missing their first seven shots of the game, the Mavericks finished the first quarter with a 32-12 run to take a 16-point lead. Dallas made 11 of its 18 attempts, with Nowitzki, Marion, Dalembert and Calderon each scoring at least six points.
Memphis returns home Monday to face Boston. The Mavericks are off until playing host to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
NOTES: Both teams were playing their first back-to-back of the season, having played Friday night. ... The Mavericks were 52-18 all-time against the Grizzlies in the regular season going into Saturday, but Memphis had won 11 of the last 17 meetings. The Grizzlies have won the season series the last three years. ... Mavs coach Rick Carlisle isn't concerned with Jose Calderon's slow shooting start. "He's going to be fine," Carlisle said. "He's just got to keep going." ... Grizzlies perimeter stopper Tony Allen held Monta Ellis to 8-of-44 shooting and an average of nine points in the three previous meetings between the two guards. ... Mavs reserve Wayne Ellington played 40 games for Memphis last season.
