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Mavericks-Grizzlies Preview

Mar 30, 2010 - 8:51 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Dallas (49-25) at Memphis (38-35), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Dallas Mavericks are one win away from joining an elite club.

The Mavericks will try to notch their 10th straight 50-win season Wednesday night when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.

Since the NBA expanded to an 82-game season in 1967-68, only two teams have reached at least 50 victories 10 or more times in a row. The Lakers did it 12 straight times 1979-80 through 1990-91 and San Antonio has accomplished the feat 10 straight seasons entering this one.

The Spurs' streak, however, could be in jeopardy.

Dallas (49-25) is having no such problems, with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way. The Mavericks won 50 games in a season twice before the German superstar arrived, and he reached another milestone in Monday's 109-93 victory over Denver.

Nowitzki had 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double. He had been in a bit of a slump, averaging 15.5 points in his previous four games.

"(Nowitzki) did everything," said Jason Kidd, whose 104 triple-doubles are the third-most in league history. "He set the table, he accepted double-teams, he moved the ball and hit shots."

Nowitzki was more impressed by Dallas' 27 assists - 10 by Kidd - on 38 baskets.

"That's when we're at our best, sharing the ball," Nowitzki said.

Dallas captured the season series from the Nuggets, 2-1. That could be critical if Denver wins the Northwest Division and finishes tied with the Mavericks for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Utah is on top of the Northwest and is one-half game behind Dallas, which leads the Spurs by 4 1/2 games in the Southwest.

Dallas has lost its last three visits to Memphis (38-35), falling 98-82 on Dec. 4 while shooting 35.2 percent - its second-worst mark this season. The Mavs evened the season series with a 106-101 win Dec. 26 by placing seven players in double figures.

The Grizzlies, 22-15 at home, had lost 13 in a row overall to the Mavs before the three-game streak at the FedEx Forum.

"They're a good home team," said Nowitzki about the Grizzlies. "They're very improved in the last couple of years. They got three legit scorers in (Zach) Randolph and (O.J.) Mayo and (Rudy) Gay so they're a tough team."

This will be the first meeting since Dallas acquired Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood from Washington at the All-Star break. The Mavs are 17-5 since the deal.

The Grizzlies are in ninth place in the West, six games out of a playoff spot. They're trying to avoid a third straight loss after falling 108-103 in overtime at Milwaukee on Sunday.

Randolph scored 31 points and Gay added 20 for Memphis, which is having its best season in four years.

"I have no problems or worries about how we are going to finish the season," coach Lionel Hollins said. "But I told them if you have this kind of focus and effort, you are going to win a lot of games and we are going to have a good finish."