Memphis Grizzlies vs Dallas Mavericks Box Score on Mar 02, 2019

The Memphis Grizzlies went into Dallas and mixed clamp-down defense with an atypical showing of long-range firepower to bury the Mavericks 111-81 on Saturday night.

Memphis, one of the league's more anemic offenses, shot better than 50 percent in the first half for a 62-49 lead. Dallas mounted a minor charge to get within seven to open the third quarter, but then was thwarted by a solid showing that saw Jevon Carter drain two 3-pointers with Joakim Noah and Chandler Parsons also getting in on the surge.

Meanwhile, Memphis' difficult defense held Dallas to 18 points in the third quarter on four field goals. Add it all up and the Grizzlies' lead had swelled to 90-65 with a half-minute left in the period. From there it was a Memphis cakewalk.

The Grizzlies, playing without injured rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., got balanced scoring, including solid bench contributions with 15 points from Carter, 12 points from Noah on 4-of-7 shooting to go with eight boards and five assists, and 12 points from CJ Miles, who hit three 3-pointers.

Jonas Valanciunas led the team with 20 points, Avery Bradley had 15 -- all coming in a dominant first half -- to go with five assists and five rebounds. Mike Conley added 12 points and a pair of assists, and he needed to play only 23 minutes.

It was a dispiriting effort for the Mavs, who were riding the momentum of Tuesday's home win against Indiana and three days of rest.

Rookie Luka Doncic led the way with a game-high 22 points, and he shot 7 of 14 from the floor. He couldn't find the range from beyond the arc, however, missing seven of his eight attempts.

Dwight Powell contributed 13 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 10, shooting 2 of 7 from long range. Dirk Nowitzki had seven points in his fourth consecutive start.

From long range is where Memphis won the game. The Grizzlies connected on 14 of 34 attempts (41.2 percent), while Dallas kept launching despite constant clanging. The Mavs finished 7 of 40 from long range (17.5 percent).

--Field Level Media