Mavericks 111, Grizzlies 99
Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and Shawn Marion added 21 points and 14 rebounds as Dallas defeated visiting Memphis.
Monta Ellis scored 18 points, Jose Calderon added 15 and Samuel Dalembert contributed 14 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks. Vince Carter with 11 points also reached double figures for Dallas.
Mike Conley had 24 points and eight assists, Marc Gasol scored 23 points and Zach Randolph had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Memphis committed 18 turnovers and was 3-for-16 from 3-point range.
The Mavericks led by 10 points entering the final quarter and increased the lead to 92-77 on two free throws by Marion with 6:20 to play. The Grizzlies got within 99-90 on Gasol’s three-point play with 3:20 left but Ellis scored the next six Dallas points as the Mavericks held off the charge.
One night after Dallas coach Rick Carlisle blasted his team for its slow start, the Mavericks led by 15 after one quarter and by 47-26 midway through the second quarter. Memphis used a 15-0 run to get back into the game and trailed 49-43 at the break.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas was 40-for-46 from the free-throw line, while Memphis was 22-of-26. … Calderon and Nowitzki each had three 3-pointers as the Mavericks were 7-of-19 from behind the arc. … G Jerryd Bayless with 11 points also scored in double digits for the Grizzlies.