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Grizzlies try to ignore history against Mavericks

Nov 21, 2008 - 11:30 AM Memphis (4-7) at Dallas (5-7), 8:30pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Memphis Grizzlies have never had much success against the Dallas Mavericks. In fact, head-to-head meetings between the two have practically been a foregone conclusion. Then again, the 2008 Mavericks aren't the same version the Grizzlies - or the rest of the league - are used to seeing.

Memphis will look to finally break through on Friday as it hits the road to take on Dallas in a Southwest Division clash.

Dallas has beaten Memphis 15 straight times and 20 of 21, including a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs in 2006. In the Grizzlies' brief NBA history, they are just 7-44 against the Mavericks.

Dallas struggled out of the gate this campaign, dropping seven of its first nine games to slip to the bottom of the division. A new coach, aging stars, a lack of transition defense - all have been common themes around the NBA over the first month of the season, but perhaps they haven't come so prominently into play for any team as much as they have for this one.

However, the Mavs have rebounded over the last week, winning three in a row - including an impressive come-from-behind, 124-114 victory over the New York Knicks in overtime on Sunday.

Memphis, meanwhile, snapped a four-game skid on Tuesday with a 109-94 triumph over the Sacramento Kings. Though the rebuilding Grizzlies have had their share of frustrations, they've had the benefit of seeing a potential future star emerge over his first month in the NBA.

Rookie guard O.J. Mayo is scoring 20.1 points per game to lead all rookies, including back-to-back efforts of at least 30 points last week.