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Grizzlies look to end long losing skid to Mavericks

Jan 4, 2009 - 2:54 PM Dallas (20-12) at Memphis (10-23) 4:00 p.m. EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Here we go again. It's been more than three years and 17 meetings and the Memphis Grizzlies can't seem to take down the Dallas Mavericks.

Already 0-2 against Dallas this season, the Grizzlies get another shot to snap their futility streak on Sunday as they host the Mavericks in an afternoon matinee.

Dallas has won 17 meetings in a row between these two clubs - including a four-game sweep in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. Memphis' last victory was November 26, 2005, a 112-92 triumph paced by Pau Gasol's 36-point, 15-rebound effort.

Of course, that Memphis club is a much different group than this one - but the results have been the same. The Mavericks defeated them in Dallas, 91-76, in November and followed that up with another home triumph, 100-82, a month later.

Overall, the Mavericks have won 22 of the last 23 meetings. Memphis is just 7-46 all-time against Dallas.

Lately, Dallas has begun to make a charge up the ultra-competitive Southwest Division. The Mavericks have won three in a row and six of seven to pull to within 1 1/2 games of first-place San Antonio. On Friday, they erased a fourth-quarter deficit to upend the Philadelphia 76ers, 96-86, thanks to Dirk Nowitzki's 31-point showing.

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, haven't been as fortunate in recent weeks. Since a season-best four-game winning streak in December, they have dropped eight of nine, including a 91-80 decision to the Spurs on Friday.