Mavericks 105, Grizzlies 91: Dirk Nowitzki collected 20 points, six rebounds and five assists as host Dallas cruised past stumbling Memphis.

Monta Ellis scored 18 points and Vince Carter added 14 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who improved to 11-2 at home. Jose Calderon hit a pair of 3-pointers en route to 12 points as Dallas shot 54.8 percent from the field.

Tony Allen recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds and three steals as the Grizzlies suffered their fifth straight loss. Zach Randolph added 14 points and nine boards and Jon Leuer scored 14 points for Memphis, which was playing its second straight game without starting point guard Mike Conley (thigh contusion).

The Mavericks bridged the first and second quarters with an 8-0 run to take a 30-21 lead and never trailed again. Calderon’s 3-pointer midway through the second pushed it to 41-27 and Dallas took a 52-39 advantage into the half.

The Grizzlies started to find some offense after the break and closed to within 66-62 on Mike Miller’s 3-pointer with 3:44 left in the third quarter. Nowitzki responded with a jumper to spark a 12-4 run ending the period and the Mavericks were up 98-77 after Ellis’ 3-pointer with 4:39 left in the game before the benches began to empty.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jerryd Bayless made his second straight start in place of Conley and struggled to seven points on 3-of-13 shooting. … Memphis, which led the league in scoring defense last season, has allowed six of its last eight opponents to go over 100 points. … Mavericks PF Brandan Wright, who went 9-for-10 from the field in his season debut on Saturday, slumped to four points on 0-of-3 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench.