The Memphis Grizzlies stayed undefeated in games in which they’ve broken the century mark this season as they held off the Dallas Mavericks 110-96 at FedExForum on Tuesday night.
The Grizz (8-7) were able to pull away in the third quarter, recording a season-high 36 points, before holding off the Mavericks’ (9-6) comeback attempt in the fourth frame.
Memphis also dominated the battle in the paint, outscoring the Mavericks by 26, 48-22.
Jeff Green exploded in the second half for 11 points at a 5-for-7 clip, including a three-pointer. He’d finish the game with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Mike Conley led all scorers with 21 points and added six assists while never turning the ball over. Marc Gasol recorded another double-double with a 15-point, 10-rebound performance.
In his first start in a Grizzlies uniform, swingman Matt Barnes played the power forward position and scored 16 points, including three three-pointers. He also grabbed seven rebounds, tied for second on the team behind Gasol.
In all, seven Grizzlies scored in double figures to help topple the Mavs.
Dallas got a boost from its bench, as J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton each scored 16 points to lead the team. Felton scored 14 points in the fourth quarter alone, and knocked down all four of his three-point attempts in the final frame.
The Grizzlies defense hounded the Mavericks into 39.0 percent shooting, and not even 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki was spared. He was held to 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting, though he and center Zaza Pachulia both grabbed 10 boards and earned double-doubles.
Dallas took its only lead in the game off of a Nowitzki jumper on their second shot of the game, but Tony Allen quickly evened the score on the other end with 11 minutes remaining in the first period.
Only 30 seconds later the Grizzlies would take the lead for good when Gasol found Conley cutting for a lay-up to make it 4-2. The two would go back and forth in the first period with Memphis getting the lead as large as 14, and then the Mavericks cutting it down to three. However, Memphis would use a 7-0 run in the last 1:30, capped by a Conley three-pointer right before time expired, to take a 46-36 lead to the break.
The Grizzlies would expand their lead in the third quarter, not allowing the Mavericks within single digits. Holding a 68-56 lead with 3:15 to play in the third, a Jeff Green tip-slam would ignite a 14-4 run, helping Memphis blow the game open and take a 22-point lead.
The Mavericks would try to make a furious comeback early in the fourth quarter, going on a 19-7 run in the opening six minutes to get within 10, forcing a timeout, but they would get no closer. The Mavs fouled Allen over the final few minutes in an effort to get the game closer, but the veteran knocked down 6-of-8 attempts from the line to thwart Dallas’ plan.
Memphis heads to Houston for the second game of a back-to-back Wednesday night. The Grizzlies defeated the Rockets 96-84 only four days ago at FedExForum. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and fans can catch the game on the radio on 92.9 FM ESPN, or on television on FOX Sports Southeast.
Key Stats of the Night
- A key to tonight’s win was the Grizzlies’ tenacity in the paint…Memphis outscored the Mavericks 48-22 in points in the paint…This marks the second highest total points in the paint for the Grizzlies.
Key Run of the Night
- Catalyzed by the Jeff Green tip-in dunk with 3:15 left to play in the third frame, the Grizzlies closed out the third quarter on a 14-4 run, which gave them a 22-point advantage (82-60) heading into the final quarter of the game.
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Player Notes
- With tonight’s appearance, Vince Carter (1,218) passed Steve Nash (1,217) for 31st on the NBA’s all-time games played list… Carter is eighth among active NBA players in career games played behind Kevin Garnett (1,435), Tim Duncan (1,344), Kobe Bryant (1,290), Dirk Nowitzki (1,278), Andre Miller (1,271), Paul Pierce (1,262) and Jason Terry (1,225)… On the currently-active list, Carter is well over 100 games ahead of ninth-place Joe Johnson (1,076).*
- Mike Conley tallied 21 points and handed out six assists…He has now scored 20+ points in four of his last five games so far this season.
- Forward Jeff Green completed the game with 19 points, tied a season-high seven rebounds and notched a season-high two blocked shots in 35 minutes of play.
- Forward Matt Barnes made his first start in a Grizzlies uniform…He finished the night with 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists.
- Mario Chalmers scored 14 points and contributed two assists…Since arriving in Memphis, it is the fifth time in six games that he has scored in double digits.
- Forward JaMychal Green helped spark the Grizzlies off the bench…He tallied 13 points and pulled down six rebounds in 17 minutes…He is now 6-of-10 from three-point range this season.
- Marc Gasol has made 35 consecutive free throws passing Anthony Peeler (34 straight in 1997) for the Grizzlies franchise record…He finished the night 7-for-7 from the line.
- Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki recorded his second double-double of the season…He ended the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds…Zaza Pachulia also collected his ninth double-double of the season…He finished with 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Next Game
The Grizzlies will take a quick trip to Houston to take on the Rockets Wednesday, November 25 at 7PM.
Next Home Game
The Grizzlies will return home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, November 27 at 7PM.
Holiday Packs
The holidays are back and so is the gift that keeps on Grizzing. It’s the all-new Grizzlies 7-Game Holiday Packs presented by Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, featuring two plans, Naughty and Nice, for one low price. Catch the year’s best matchups and giveaways, including the Bulls, Lakers, Spurs and more, starting at just $105, plus with every pack purchase, receive a Grizzmas Winter Knit Cap, a $10 gift card to Bass Pro Shops and free 28-story elevator ride to the observation deck at the Pyramid.