Grizzlies survive Dallas' 3-point barrage
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies withstood 18 Dallas 3-pointers, as Memphis took control in the third quarter and fended off a Mavericks rally en route to a 114-105 win in a Southwest Division showdown.
Memphis outscored the Mavs 36-17 in the third frame to turn what was once a 10-point deficit into a healthy lead they never relinquished.
Gasol poured in 30 points two days after being limited to two in a win over the Heat.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He played great Sunday. He didn't have the big scoring numbers but he helped us in the game in other areas," Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee said. "That's Marc. One day he might lead the team in scoring. One day he might lead the team in assists. We always expect Marc to come back and play at a high level."
Mike Conley chipped in 22 points, while Zach Randolph added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who outscored the Mavs 52-26 in the paint.
Chandler Parsons shot 6-of-10 from behind the arc and matched Gasol with 30 points, but the Mavs fell for the second time in three games. Jameer Nelson finished with 18 points for Dallas, while J.J. Barea netted 17 off the bench.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dallas' usually productive duo of Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis combined to shoot 5-of-28 from the field (17.9 percent) for 13 points. Ellis played through an elbow injury and made only one of his 11 attempts in a two-point effort.
The division rivals came into Tuesday's clash with 16 wins apiece and have accomplished their success in different ways. The Mavs were the NBA's highest- scoring team at 110.6 ppg, while the Grizzlies ranked No. 1 in opponents' scoring at 93.5 ppg.
The first half went the way of the offense, as Dallas shot 54.8 percent from the field en route to a 62-56 lead at the intermission.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Defense got the upper hand in the third quarter, however, as the Grizzlies forced more turnovers (six) than they allowed field goals (five).
Memphis opened the frame on a 19-5 run to take the lead and never trailed again. Conley netted nine during the surge, capping it with a 3-pointer.
Dallas trailed 92-79 entering the fourth but used the 3-ball to inch closer, as back-to-back 3s by Parsons and Devin Harris cut the deficit to 101-99 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Barea missed a potential go-ahead triple the next time down, though, and Memphis scored seven of the next eight points to create enough space. Beno Udrih drove in for two, Tayshaun Prince connected from behind the arc and Conley drained a 22-footer for a 108-100 cushion.
"We didn't get stops," Parsons said. "We couldn't keep trading baskets."
Earlier, Nelson scored 13 points in the first 6:41 and the Mavs led 31-21 following a Brandan Wright layup late in the opening quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Grizzlies scored the final five points of the frame to pull within 37-34, and a Vince Carter 3 early in the second gave them their first lead at 43-40.
Nelson's late 3 sent the visitors into the break with a 62-56 advantage, but the tide turned after the break.
Game Notes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Memphis is 7-1 in its last eight games hosting this series ... Memphis forced 16 turnovers and only gave it away five times ... The Mavs were outscored at the foul line, 25-11 ... Nine of Randolph's rebounds were on the offensive glass.