Mavs Fall To Grizzlies
The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 111-81 Saturday night at the American Airlines Center. The Grizzlies scored nine unanswered points from the 2:51 mark of the first quarter through the 1:25 mark of the period (they extended their 21-17 lead to 30-17). Memphis led by 12 (33-21) after one and never relinquished the lead.
Mavericks guard/forward Luka Dončić, who earned his fourth consecutive Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award for games played in February, tallied a game-high 22 points (7-14 FGs) to go along with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 26 minutes. Dončić has now scored 20-plus in three straight games since returning from a sore right ankle that cost him two games on Feb. 22 and 23. The former EuroLeague MVP has now produced 34 20-point outings on the season. Jay Vincent (53 in 1981-82) and Jamal Mashburn (37 in 1993-94) are the only rookies in Mavericks history to record more 20-point efforts in a season.
Mavericks center Dwight Powell made his third straight start and totaled 13 points (4-7 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 4-6 FTs), a team-high eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes. He scored in double figures for the career-high fifth consecutive game (Powell’s previous high double-digit scoring streak was four on four occasions – he scored 10-plus points in four straight games once in 2015-16, once in 2016-17, once in 2017-18 and once in 2018-19). Powell is averaging 16.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 32.2 minutes per game over his last five games (2/22-3/2).
Powell also reached double figures for the ninth time in his last 10 games. He’s averaging 13.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 28.9 minutes per game over his last 10 contests (2/6-3/2).
Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas posted his fourth double-double with Memphis (ninth of the season, 141st career) with a team-high 20 points (8-9 FGs, 4-6 FTs) to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal in 28 minutes. He scored 20-plus points for the fourth time in his first six games with the Grizzlies (eighth time in 36 games this season).
J.J. Barea (right Achilles surgery) and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee surgery) remained out for Dallas due to injury/recovery. Daryl Macon was on assignment with the Mavericks’ G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. Jaren Jackson Jr. (right deep thigh bruise), Kyle Anderson (right shoulder soreness) and Dillon Brooks (right toe injury) all missed the game for Memphis due to injury. Jevon Carter, Julian Washburn and Yuta Watanabe were with the Grizzlies’ G-League team, the Memphis Hustle.
The attendance was 20,233. The Mavericks have now sold out 710 consecutive regular-season home games, which is an NBA-best sellout streak. The streak began on 12/15/01 and Dallas has sold out an additional 67 playoff games during that same stretch.
The Mavericks’ next game is at Brooklyn on March 4 at 6:30 p.m. CT
