Grizzlies 105 Mavs 90 Grades: Grizzlies Pau Slashes Cocky Mavs Both teams came into the game playing last night, but it was the Mavs that shot out to an early lead, up 18-8, before Dirk went to the bench with 2 fouls at the 6 minute mark. Memphis wasted no time with Dirk sitting as they quickly pulled ahead of the Mavs to take a 31-27 lead at the end of the first period. Avery goes back to Dirk to start the second period. Still, the Mavs floundered around as the Grizzlies build up a 15 point lead (a 25 point swing!) before Avery inserts Darrell into the game. The Mavs quickly shave 5 points off the Grizzlies lead as Dirk comes alive. The Mavs get with in four, but the Grizzlies kick the lead back to 9 quickly. The Grizzlies maintain their edge going into halftime at 60-49 thanks to a review of Erick?s tip in at the buzzer being disallowed. The Mavs play hard in the third period, but the Grizzlies hold them at bay, winning the quarter 27-26 to take a 12 point lead into the final stanza. The Mavs make several runs at Memphis, but the Mavs comeback is effectively ended when Josh Howard turns his right ankle with 2:35 left in the game. Josh heads back to the locker room unable to put any weight on his right foot. Avery waves the white flag with 1:34 as he clears his bench. The Mavs hold on first place in the NBA lasts less than 24 hours and Avery claim to the best start for a NBA coach falls short. Neither are any concern as the Mavs primary concern is Josh Howard?s ankle. The Mavs had no answer for Pau Gasol who seemingly scored at will either on slam dunks or easy flips in the lane. Pau pulls a season high in points (36) and misses his season high in rebounds (16) by one board. FSSW : C, Good timeouts, but the ads covering the show have to go. +12 Johnson: C, Avery had his team ready to go at the start, however, as the Mavs ran off to a quick start, they appeared to get a bit too confident. Any halftime speech was ineffective as the Grizzlies won both periods of the second half. Howard: B-; Nearly a double-double (17 points and 9 rebounds) for Josh, but that pales to his injury. All that is known now is that has a sprained ankle, but there is no break. +21 Nowitzki: C+, Dirk led the Mavs with 27 points, but was unable to find the right combination in the fourth quarter after Erick Dampier pulled the Mavs within 4 points. Ties Josh for the Mavs lead in rebounding with 9 boards. +23 Dampier: B, Unfortunately a decent game by Erick was wasted with the loss. Erick had 9 points and 7 rebounds and only one turnover. +12 Daniels: C+, After a 6 turnover game, Marquis took better care of the ball, but was not very dynamic offensively. Marquis was unable to take advantage of Jones, Stoudamire, or Jackson in the post. +7 Terry: C-, Jason got into foul trouble early again as he was ineffective against either Stoudamire or Jackson. +3 Diop: C, DeSagana fought hard but five fouls in only 8 minutes severely limited his effectiveness. Zero turnovers. +4 Van Horn: C+, Keith hit the floor early with Dirk in foul trouble, but Keith was no more effective in slowing down Gasol than Dirk was. Keith was only 1-5 from the floor but earned a living from the charity stripe to get to his 10 points. Chipped in 7 rebounds and 4 steals as well. +13 Harris: C+, Devin was much more effective than Jason, but still had his hands full trying to deal with the Grizzlies guards. Only one assist to three turnovers. +7 Powell: C; Josh provided a lively body but the rookie still has a bit to learn. +1 Armstrong : C+, Darrell provided a spark that got Dirk to put a quick 5 points on the board, but it wasn?t enough tonight. +0 M?Benga: C, DJ got in for the last 1:37 after Avery waived the white flag. -1 Marshall : C, Rawle got in for the last 1:37 after Avery waived the white flag. +0 Podkolzin: DNC-CD, Pavel had surgery to repair his right foot and ankle and is expected to miss three to four months. Stackhouse: DNP-CD, Jerry was inactive, out with a sore knee that continues to swell. Christie: Doug was waived by the Mavs yesterday. Typical Chef Ed Type
