(Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks will try to start 2-0 for the first time since winning their first four games of the 2004-05 campaign when they host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at American Airlines Center.
Dallas opened its 2010-11 season with Wednesday's 101-86 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, as Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-best 28 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the charge.
Jason Terry added 22 points and Jason Kidd finished with 12 points and 18 assists for the defending Southwest Division champions, who have never lost to the Bobcats and will hit the road for two games at the Clippers and Nuggets following tonight's home tilt.
"Our start was terrific and our third quarter start was terrific. We ended the half really well. We went through a tough stretch late first, early second," said Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle. "But, those things happen. At halftime I just told the guys, listen, everything that was involved with that tough stretch is over, it didn't happen, let's move on. Second half overall we were much better."
Caron Butler helped out with 13 points in the win.
Memphis dropped its season opener, 119-104, at home to Atlanta on Wednesday.
Rudy Gay ended with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Mike Conley scored a team-high 23 points to go with eight assists and five boards for the Grizzlies, who played without center Marc Gasol because of a sprained left ankle. Gasol is expected to miss Friday's game.
Grizzlies center Zach Randolph did not play in the second half because of a lower back contusion and is also expected to miss tonight's game.
"I think it's a little bit more than those two being out," Gay said. "It's more than that had us lose this game."
Memphis will play five of its next six games on the road.
Dallas won three of four meetings with Memphis a year ago and is 16-3 in the previous 19 contests in this series.