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Mavericks-Grizzlies Preview

Dec 3, 2009 - 4:49 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Dallas (14-5) at Memphis (7-12), 8:00 p.m. EDT

In one of the most impressive shooting performances in recent NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks rolled over the worst team in the league in their last game.

The Southwest Division-leading Mavericks look to keep that momentum going Friday night when they face a Memphis Grizzlies team that is happy to be home following a grueling road trip.

With a chance to hand New Jersey its NBA-record 18th straight loss to open the season, Dallas (14-5) shot 81 percent from the field in the first half and went on to a 117-101 victory Wednesday.

The Mavericks shot 17 of 19 in the second quarter - 5 of 5 from 3-point range - as they posted the best shooting percentage in a half since Denver made 82 percent versus the Los Angeles Clippers on April 4, 2006.

Playing in New Jersey for the second time since being traded to Dallas during the 2007-08 season, Jason Kidd was 5 of 6 and had 16 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against his former club.

"(New Jersey's tough start) doesn't pain me," Kidd told the league's official Web site. "It's unfortunate, but I think the biggest thing is I wish those guys luck to turn this thing around."

His current team is headed in the right direction. Off to their best start since opening 15-5 in 2005-06, the Mavericks will look to maintain their dominance over the Grizzlies, whom they have defeated 27 of 32 times since the club relocated from Vancouver.

Memphis, though, won the last two matchups, both at FedExForum.

In the most recent meeting, the Grizzlies won 107-102 on April 3 behind 27 points and 10 rebounds from Rudy Gay and 25 points from Mike Conley.

After both missed a 27-point loss to Utah on Monday, Conley returned from an injury to score a season-high 20 points while Gay rejoined the team following a funeral and scored 20 in Wednesday's 97-95 win over Minnesota.

"I appreciate Conley coming back and Rudy coming back," coach Lionel Hollins said. "We were tired and we needed everyone tonight."

Playing its fourth game in six nights, Memphis (7-12) rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to finish a 2-3 trip.

"The first half we felt we didn't play our best half and we hung around and were a little fatigued because we have been on the road for ten days," guard O.J. Mayo said. "This is our last one (of the road trip) and we just wanted to come out and get a win before we go home."

Memphis, which played 12 of its first 19 on the road, opens a three-game homestand - its longest home stretch of 2009-10 so far.

The Grizzlies will try to find a way to slow down Dirk Nowitzki, who is scoring a career-best 27.0 points per game. Nowitzki averaged 31.5 points on 53.2 percent shooting against Memphis last season, but Dallas lost both games.

The Grizzlies snapped a 13-game slide to the Mavericks with a 102-82 victory Jan. 4.