Mavericks 103, Grizzlies 93
DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and the Dallas Mavericks are closing in on a playoff spot after pulling away from the Memphis Grizzlies 103-93 on Friday at American Airlines Center.
Dallas (41-38) has won six in a row to reduce its magic number to clinch a Western Conference postseason berth to one with three regular season games remaining.
The Mavericks' surge could also lead to an unlikely move up the West standings. Dallas is one game behind Memphis (42-37) for sixth place in the conference.
The Grizzlies, already in the playoffs, are in a free fall. Memphis has dropped seven of eight with NBA-leading Golden State up next Saturday at home.
Nowitzki came into the game in one of the worst five-game shooting stretches of his career, but made 6-of-12 shots to post his highest scoring game since March 23.
Reserve guards Devin Harris and Raymond Felton each come up big for Dallas' injury-depleted backcourt. Not only is point guard Deron Williams out, but red-hot J.J. Barea was lost in the first half with a groin injury.
Harris scored all 16 of his points in the second half, including 12 in the third quarter. Felton had 11 points and dished out 14 assists -- a high for any Maverick this season.
Dallas rookie shooting guard Justin Anderson scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 10 boards for his first double-double.
The Mavericks, up 74-68 going into the fourth, opened up as much as a 17-point lead in the final period. Memphis couldn't get any closer than five down the stretch.
Shooting guard Tony Allen led the Grizzlies with 25 points and had seven rebounds. Power forward Zach Randolph suffered through a 6-for-20 shooting night for 13 points.
The Grizzlies fell behind 30-21 in the second quarter after a 13-0 run by Dallas. Memphis fought back and led 49-46 at halftime.
Allen, guard Jordan Farmar and small forward Matt Barnes each scored in double figures in the first half and combined for 34 points. Nowitzki paced Dallas with 10 points at the break.
The Mavericks' final road trip of the season opens Sunday at the Los Angeles Clippers with a visit to Utah the following night.
NOTES: Memphis signed G Xavier Munford to a multiyear contract and waived C Ryan Hollins. Munford had appeared in 10 games going into Friday, averaging 5.6 points in 14.2 minutes since signing the first of two 10-day contracts on March 16. Hollins, 31, appeared in 32 games and made nine starts. ... Dallas PG Deron Williams (sports hernia) hopes to return for the playoffs if the Mavs qualify. He has missed eight straight games. "Nothing's changed in terms of a lack of a timetable," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "Going forward, he's doing a few things, getting a lot of treatment, doing whatever strength work he can do." ... Dallas had the same starting lineup, including C Zaza Pachulia, for the fifth game in a row.