Nowitzki, Mavericks blast Grizzlies

Feb 8, 2007, 4:50 GMT

Dallas, TX - Dirk Nowitzki posted 38 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, as the Dallas Mavericks extended their winning streak to five games with a 113-97 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center.

Josh Howard notched 23 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won 16 in a row at American Airlines Center and improved to an impressive 23-3 on their home court. Their last loss at home was on December 7th to the Detroit Pistons.

Devean George scored 15 points for the Mavericks while Jason Terry added 12 points in the win.

Dallas played the middle contest of a three-game homestand, and is scheduled to host Southwest Division-rival Houston on Friday. After Friday's game, the Mavs will hit the road for games at Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Houston.

Pau Gasol, the subject of trade rumors, posted 29 points and nine boards for Memphis, which hit the road after going 1-4 on a five-game homestand. Mike Miller scored 21 points, and Alexander Johnson added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Damon Stoudamire had nine points and 11 assists.

Memphis, which has lost four in a row and 11 of its last 14 games overall, is 3-21 on the road this season. The Grizzlies return home to host the Timberwolves on Friday at the FedExForum.

Dallas closed the first quarter on a 12-3 burst capped by a Nowitzki jumper at the buzzer for a 40-24 lead heading into the second.

After Gasol's jumper 18 seconds into the stanza, the Mavs maintained control by going on a 16-3 run capped by Johnson's layup with 6:17 remaining for a 56-29 lead. Dallas staked a comfortable 65-45 halftime advantage.

Memphis came out of the locker room with a renewed vigor, starting the second half on a 12-0 burst capped by a Rudy Gay jumper with 8:46 left to trail by just eight.

However, Dallas closed the third on a 13-0 run sparked by a George layup at 2:17 for an 89-65 lead heading into the fourth.

Memphis rallied back on a 16-2 run sparked by a Stoudamire layup with 9:38 left to cut its deficit to 11, but the Mavs scored the next seven points to put the game away.

Game Notes

This was the fourth and final meeting of the season between the clubs. Dallas won the three previous contests and swept the season-series for the second time in three seasons.

The Mavericks have won seven in a row and 12 of the last 13 contests in the series.

The Grizzlies have lost three straight and 12 of their last 13 at Dallas.

© 2007 The Sports Network