MyDallasMavs: Dirk Returns... But Not For Long

Dirk Nowitzki has returned to the starting line-up tonight vs the Grizzles in Memphis but was not much help as he got ejected from the game after arguing with refs towards the end of the third quarter. He left with just 7 points and 5 rebounds where he went 2 for 7 in just 14 minutes.

Tyson Chandler did not play tonight due to an illness.

You know it's bad when your starting five totals 26 points. Marion was the only starter in double digits scoring 11 points and 6 rebounds. Haywood started for Chandler scoring 5 points, and Jason Kidd had a gruesome 3 points as he was 1 for 7 from the field and 1 for 6 from 3-point range. Deshawn Stevenson, one of the Mavs' remarkable shooters, scored a rare 0 points. He was 0 for 5 from the field and 0 for 4 from 3-point range.

One player who did shine tonight was Ian Mahinmi who went a perfect 6 for 6 from the field, leading the team with 17 points.

All in all the Mavericks as a team were 24 for 74 from the field and 6 for 31 from beyond the arch. It is safe to say that the Mavericks had a horrible night of shooting, as they definitely weren't themselves. This is a team who usually shoots very well from 3-point range, but tonight was clearly not their night.

Zach Randolph lead the Grizzlies with 23 points 20 rebounds, Arthur behind him with 17 points and Rudy Gay with 16 points.

The Mavs were outscored every quarter but the last, eventually falling to the Grizzlies 89-70. This is the Mavs 5th consecutive loss, their longest losing streak this season. This is also the lowest amount of points Dallas has scored in a game, their last being 76 points in a loss to Toronto.

Whether Chandler will play the next game is not yet known.

Next, the Mavericks face the Pistons in Detroit. Mavs fans can only hope that watching them won't be as painstaking for much longer.