Mavericks 103 Grizzlies 95: Game 42 Recap

The Lead
The Mavs finish strong led by Dirk's clutch scoring to register their best win of the year to start the season's second half.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Ellis, 25
Rebounds: Chandler, 16
Assists: Ellis, 7
+-: Harris, +15
Grizzlies
Points: Conley, 22
Rebounds: Randolph, 15
Assists: Gasol, Conley, 4
+-: Calathes, +2

Game Ball
Dirk Nowitzki
21 points, 6 rebounds, 7-13 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5-5 FT

X-Factor
Tyson Chandler
10 points, 16 rebounds, 3-6 FG, 4-5 FT

Goat Horns
Tony Allen
4 points, 1-3 FG, 3 fouls

Play of the Game
With 1:20 to go Monta Ellis finds a cutting Dirk for a layup to put the Mavs up 6. It would be 2 of the 8 straight points that Dirk scored to finish the game.

Stat of the Game
The Mavs took big advantage of their edge in perimeter shooting over Memphis by hitting 10-25 threes while holding the Grizzlies to only 3-22.

Of Note

• The win was only the Mavs second all year against one of the West's top eight teams, and their first on the road.
• Dallas climbed to within a half game of the Grizzlies for the Southwest Division lead.
• After Mike Conley's three gave the Grizzlies their first lead since early in the first quarter at 91-89, the Mavs would outscore Memphis 14-4 to finish the game.
• The Mavericks more than held their own on the boards against the Grizzlies size and bulk, as both teams grabbed 42 rebounds led by Tyson Chandler's 16.
• Former Mav Vince Carter was held scoreless in 9 minutes, missing his shots two shots from the field which were both threes.

Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: B-
Chandler: A
Ellis: A
Rondo: C+
Harris: A
Powell: B+
Jefferson: A-
Barea: C
Aminu: B

Quote of Note
"I love Dirk seeing the ball go through the basket, because I know when he gets on a roll, he's on a roll. It was good to see him hit some crunch-time baskets because I know he was on himself before that."
Tyson on Dirk


They Tweeted It

Looks a lot like 2011 Mavs here in crunch time. Dirk dominating on offense, Tyson Chandler doing work on defense.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 20, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (29-13) head north to face red-hot rookie Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-33), Wednesday at 7:00.