(Sports Network) - Memphis will try to finish up an impressive back-to-back
sweep of both NBA finalists from a year ago when they host the Dallas
Mavericks.
The Grizzlies never trailed in an impressive 97-82 rout of Miami on Friday,
snapping the Heat's gaudy 17-game home winning streak. Now, Memphis will try
to avenge a loss in Dallas last Wednesday and move two games ahead of the Mavs
in the Western Conference playoff race.
Rudy Gay scored 17 points in South Florida on Friday and the Grizzlies led
wire-to-wire in their win over the Heat.
Mike Conley and Marreese Speights added 15 points apiece for Memphis, which
has won four of five, and Zach Randolph came off the bench for 14 points and
14 rebounds in a dominating team win.
Not only did the Grizzlies lead from beginning to end, except for a short time
in the third quarter, they were in complete control of one of the league's top
teams.
"The first time I looked up," said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins, "we were up
15 points. We were playing well and we had a lot of people do a lot of good
things."
The Heat's home streak, the best in the NBA this season, ended one win shy of
the franchise record of 18 set during the 2004-05 season. Their previous loss
at American Airlines Arena came Jan. 22 to Milwaukee.
Grizzlies guard Tony Allen wasn't with the team because of a facial laceration
he suffered in the loss at Dallas on Wednesday.
The Mavs followed that win by coming up short in overtime to the Portland
Trail Blazers on Friday.
It seemed as if Portland and Dallas would be heading into double overtime for
the second straight meeting between the teams, but LaMarcus Aldridge connected
on a fadeaway jumper as the buzzer sounded in the extra frame to lift the
Trail Blazers over the Mavericks, 99-97, at American Airlines Center.
"We wanted LaMarcus to get the ball. LaMarcus is our All-Star, and he's
working his tail off. To his credit he hit a big time shot tonight," Trail
Blazers head coach Kaleb Canales said. "Big time player, big time shot."
Dirk Nowitzki paced the Mavericks with 23 points and 13 boards. Jason Terry
added 18 points and five assists in Dallas' third loss in five games.
"It's time for everybody to get in gear. We showed some signs tonight in the
first half, but the third quarter was tough. It took a lot out of us," said
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. "We battled to get back but expended a lot
of energy. Too much was left to chance."
Dallas backup center Ian Mahinmi, who missed Friday's game to be with his
fiancee for the birth of their child, is expected to rejoin the club tonight.
Veteran point guard Jason Kidd, however, remains sidelined with a groin
strain.
The Mavs snapped a three-game skid to the Grizz win their win earlier this
week.
The Sports Network