MEMPHIS, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Marc Gasol scored 22 points Wednesday and led Memphis to a quick start in the fourth quarter on its way to a 96-85 victory over Dallas.
The Grizzlies won for the eighth time in 10 games and took advantage of the absence of Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki, who played only 10 minutes before leaving with tightness in his lower back.
Memphis had a seven-point lead to open the fourth period and then scored the first eight points of the quarter -- four of them coming from Gasol.
Gasol added 11 rebounds. Mike Conley had 20 points and 10 assists for the Grizzlies.
Jason Terry led Dallas with 18 points and Roddy Beaubois had 16. It was the third straight loss for the Mavericks, who faced a division opponent for just the fifth time this season.
