The gist of his wish list was to engage in a defensive battle.

That's what unfolded Friday night in American Airlines Arena where the Grizzlies' offense ran into a brick wall before losing 91-76 and handing the Mavs their first home win of the season.

In shooting 37 percent, the Griz finished with a point total that was their lowest since scoring 67 points in a December 2007 loss. It was just the third time the Griz had scored fewer than 80 points in the Iavaroni Era.

"We knew they were ready to get their first home win," Griz point guard Mike Conley said. "We didn't play our best and it's tough because we had a chance to get some momentum after the way we played (Tuesday) against Sacramento."

Conley scored a season-high 14 points. Rookie O.J. Mayo led the way with 19, and Rudy Gay chipped in 14.

But the Griz didn't have the accuracy or ball movement they enjoyed a few nights ago against Sacramento with their most efficient offensive performance this season.

They didn't rebound with the Mavs, losing the battle on the boards 51-43, which didn't allow them to create easy shots. When the Griz did have fast-break layup opportunities, they missed. Several times on the same possession.

That's the kind of night it was for the Griz, who played the Mavs pretty even until the second half.

"They really executed and did a good job of getting what they wanted," Mayo said. "I thought we played hard on defense but we've got to be disciplined and get back on defense and make them take tough shots when we're struggling on offense."

Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Jason Kidd contributed 18 points and 13 boards for Dallas, which was 0-4, losing to playoff contenders Houston, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando.

Kidd and Nowitzki ignited a dominant third quarter that put the Mavs on track. Plus, Jason Terry (20 points) outscored the Grizzlies' bench, which combined for 17 points.

"That is what you have star players for - to play like stars and those guys did it," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.

Dallas played without an injured Josh Howard while a healthy Jerry Stackhouse sat in street clothes on the inactive list.

Relying heavily on Mayo and Gay, both of whom started out misfiring and compounding their problems with poor shot selection, the Griz missed 13 of their first 14 shots to start the second half.

"We came out ready to play," Gay said. "They just ran us (in the second half). We were forcing a little bit too much. It can be easily fixed. But I think we got a lot of open shots even though we weren't shooting well."

Rookie Darrell Arthur, a Dallas native, experienced a not-so-pleasant homecoming having to guard Nowitzki. The Mavs' 7-foot matchup nightmare took over the game with his offensive versatility in the third. He poured in 11 in the quarter and gave fuel to the game's most significant run.

"It was tough," Arthur said. "I got into foul trouble trying to be aggressive with him. It was definitely a lesson."

Dallas used a 20-5 run that bridged the second and third quarters to establish a double-digit lead they held on to until five minutes remained in the fourth when the Griz pulled to within nine points.

Nowitzki, though, immediately connected on a pair of free throws that again put the Griz down double-digits.

Memphis soon fell behind by 16 points.

Arthur picked up two fouls in the game's first three minutes and lost his aggressiveness.

A Kidd 3-pointer put the Mavs ahead 66-60, and their advantage was 12 points to start the final frame.

The Griz held Dallas to 33-percent shooting in the first half. Dallas led 44-41 at the intermission after scoring the final seven points of the second quarter. Memphis, though, harassed Dallas into missing 14 of their first 17 shots to start the game.

"Everything was OK until we didn't get back on defense," Iavaroni said. "That is where the game broke open. They got a couple of easy ones and the easy ones always give their offense confidence, and we didn't have an answer for Nowitzki."

Call Ronald Tillery at 529-2353 or read his Grizzlies blog at commercialappeal.com/tillery .

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Grizzlies vs. Jazz

When, where : 7 p.m. today, FedExForum

TV, radio : No TV, WRBO-FM (103.5)