Pro Sports

Doncic scores 26, Mavs rally past Grizzlies to end skid

Posted December 08, 2021 6:00 am

CLAY BAILEY

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Luka Doncic scored 26 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 19 as Dallas used a fourth-quarter rally to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 104-96 on Wednesday night, ending the Mavericks' three-game skid.

Reggie Bullock added 15 for the Mavericks, who surpassed 100 points for only the second time in the past six games.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 26 points, while Dillon Brooks added 15 points before being ejected late in the fourth quarter. Desmond Bane finished with 14 points.

Dallas held a 76-75 lead entering the fourth quarter, but unlike in Tuesday night's loss to the Nets - in which the Mavs were held to 13 points in the fourth - Dallas used a 7-0 run to pull ahead and stretched the lead to 100-86 with 2:55 left.

The first half was feisty with plenty of fouls, technicals and wrestling for the ball. There was some pretty good defense, too, as both teams shot less than 45% from the field and about 25% from 3-point range.

Neither team led by double digits until the Mavericks pulled ahead late.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Doncic was listed as questionable and a game-time decision because of left ankle soreness. ... Doncic has 15 straight games of 20-plus points. ... Tim Hardaway Jr., who scored 29 points in Dallas' 97-90 loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday night, had nine points. ... Dallas was 9 of 46 from 3-point range in Tuesday's loss to Brooklyn, and started 0 of 6.

Grizzlies: G Ja Morant, who already was out with a left knee sprain, was placed in the league's health and safety protocol earlier Wednesday. 'œHe's feeling well, and the thing to also note is he is fully vaccinated,'ť coach Taylor Jenkins said. As far as the situation with other players, Jenkins said the team is 'œin constant contact with the league ... taking all their guidance.'ť ... G/F Kyle Anderson, who was listed as questionable with back soreness, missed his fourth game. ... When Porzingis made a free throw to complete a three-point play with 10:52 left in the first, the score was 3-2 - the first time Memphis had trailed in a game since Nov. 26 loss to Atlanta. Memphis led throughout five straight games, except for a 2-2 tie against Miami on Monday night.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: At Indiana on Friday night, the second of a three-game trip.

Grizzlies: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks reacts after being ejected for his second technical foul, in the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) The Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) hangs from the rim after a dunk during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) The Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams passes the ball from the court during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) The Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) keeps the ball from Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) The Associated Press

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