Mavs get full team effort in rout of Grizzlies
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Shawn Marion scored 20 points to lead a balanced offensive effort as the Dallas Mavericks routed the Memphis Grizzlies, 104-83, at American Airlines Center.
All five of Dallas' starters scored in double digits, with Dirk Nowitzki pouring in 17 points, Chris Kaman netting 14, O.J. Mayo scoring 11 and Darren Collison contributing 10.
Elton Brand added 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Mavericks, who have won two straight games for the first time since a three-game run from Dec. 6-10.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This whole season has been work," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's been challenging and it's going to continue to be that, but we're showing some signs of coming together in some different ways and we've just got to continue."
Rudy Gay had 12 points to pace Memphis, which saw its four-game win streak come to an end.
Darrell Arthur and Josh Selby were the only other members of the Grizzlies to score in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We just didn't have it tonight," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "We didn't have maybe one, maybe one-and-a-half starters that could bring it. Our focus and concentration wasn't there."
Memphis followed an early Kaman field goal with a 7-0 spurt to take a 9-4 lead, but Dallas responded with a 14-5 run capped with a Kaman layup to go on top, 18-14, with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter.
Dallas carried a 25-18 edge into the second quarter, then scored the frame's first five points to open up a 12-point lead. Memphis trailed by double digits for the remainder of the game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Marc Gasol scored four of the next six points to get the Grizzlies back within 10 before Jae Crowder, Vince Carter and Marion each connected on a 3-pointer during a 13-5 run that gave the Mavericks a 45-27 lead.
Memphis trailed, 54-39, at the break, and the Grizzlies' lead stretched to as high as 30 in the third quarter en route to an 88-62 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Dallas' advantage never dipped below 21 in the final stanza.
Game Notes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Memphis also had a four-game road win streak snapped. The Grizzlies have not won five straight games on the road since reeling off seven straight road victories Feb. 17-March 10, 2010 ... Dallas improved to 9-7 at home this season, while Memphis fell to 10-7 on the road ... Memphis fell to 6-28 all- time at Dallas ... The Grizzlies forced nine turnovers by Dallas, snapping a streak of 138 consecutive games in which they forced at least 10 turnovers.