DALLAS, TX – The Dallas Mavericks (27-20) go 4-1 this week in their five game home stand after beating the Memphis Grizzlies tonight (32-17) 104-91.
Dallas had this game from start to finish, they outscored the Grizzlies 24-16 in the first quarter and the lead continued to grow as the game went on.
Memphis couldn’t buy a bucket to save them this entire game, they shot 1-of-7 from beyond the arc in the first half and that continued throughout the entire game.
The Mavs outscored the Grizzlies 24-18 in the second quarter to take a 48-34 lead going into the half. Both teams were not shooting well from beyond the arc at the half. There were only six three-pointers made by both teams combined when they went into the locker room.
Mavs defense was steller the entire first half, they collectively as a team had seven blocks, five of them being from Kristaps Porzingis.
The Mavs came out of the half and their lead continued to grow, they had a 19-point lead with seven minutes left in the quarter and the Grizzlies’ struggle to get that ball in the hoop from beyond the arc continued. They had three made three-pointers going into the fourth quarter and it didn’t get any better there.
The Grizzlies ended shooting 4-of-24 from the three-point line, a slimming 16 percent. Dallas didn’t shoot much better, making just 9-of-30 but their defense was the difference maker in this game.
Head Coach Jason Kidd told us post game that the guys are learning to protect their home court and they plan on doing that when they return to American Airlines Center in early February for another hefty home stand.
Luka Doncic led with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Dallas will head to the West Coast to play the Warriors on Tuesday night. Tip off is set for 9:00 PM.
