Coming off an OT loss on Friday night, the Mavericks got off to an extremely slow start in Memphis, ending the first quarter down 29-10 while shooting 13% from the floor.
They were able to claw their way back to a 50-39 halftime deficit, but they will have to improve their overall energy level as well as their offensive execution if they want to make a game of it against a streaking Grizzlies squad in the second half.
Memphis was led by Rudy Gay, who had 14 points on 6-12 shooting in the first half.
On the other side of the floor, none of Dallas' primary scorers could get going. Dirk Nowitzki clearly had a case of tired legs, as the normally sharp-shooting 7'0 went 1-7 from the floor.
The Mavericks were saved by a burst of energy from Brandan Wright, a Nashville native who impressed the large contingent of friends and families who came to cheer him on with several acrobatic alley-oop dunks. With Ian Mahinmi away from the team due to the birth of his first child, Wright's 8 points were huge.