Nowitzki leads Mavs over Grizzlies

Marquis Daniels finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Devin Harris put up 10 points and eight assists for the Mavericks, who have won their last four games.

Mike Miller had 19 points and eight rebounds and Shane Battier chipped in with 17 points for the Grizzlies, who had a six-game winning streak stopped.

The Mavericks had a 64-57 lead after three quarters of play, but the Grizzlies slowly ate into the Mavericks’ lead and made it a three-point game after Battier hit two free throws to make it 77-74 with under five minutes left.

However, the Mavericks pushed their advantage to eight points after Nowitzki hit a jumper to give Dallas an 86-78 lead with 1:44 to play. Dallas, however, turned the ball over on its next three possessions and Memphis scored five points to make it an 86-83 game with 23.4 seconds left after Damon Stoudamire hit a jumper from the left side.

The Grizzlies fouled the Mavericks on their next possession, but DeSagana Diop missed both free throws. However, Eddie Jones attempted a three-pointer from the left side but it fell short. Darrell Armstrong and Keith Van Horn each hit both of their free throws to ensure the Mavericks’ victory.

The Mavericks had a 19-16 lead after the first quarter on the strength of seven points by Nowitzki.

Dallas was leading 23-20 early in the second quarter when it went on a 10-3 run capped off by a Nowitzki jumper with 5:24 left to take a 33-23 lead. However, Memphis would score the next seven points to make it a three-point game after Pau Gasol hit two from the charity stripe with 3:22 left.

The Mavericks outscored the Grizzlies 10-6 the rest of the quarter and took a 43-36 lead into the locker room.

Nowitzki led all scorers at the half with 19 points. Miller paced the Grizzlies with 10 points.

Dallas started out the second half on a 14-5 run and took a 16-point lead after Daniels hit a jumper with under six minutes to play in the third. However, Memphis would score the last seven points to make it a 64-57 contest going into the last 12 minutes.

Game Notes

Memphis travels next to Indiana for a matchup on Saturday...The Mavericks will host the Celtics on Saturday...The Grizzlies played the game in the throw-back jerseys for the Memphis Pros, who played in the ABA from 1970-72...Dallas outrebounded Memphis 50-38.