DALLAS – Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points while also getting some rest and a lot of help in the Dallas Mavericks’ 92-81 victory Friday night over the Memphis Grizzlies, who played on the road for the first time without Pau Gasol.

The result was pretty much the same for the Grizzlies. Coming off four straight losses at home, the last two after Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis lost its seventh straight road game.

Nowitzki scored 10 straight points for the Mavericks in the third quarter when they put the game out of reach. A layup and a long jumper by Dallas’ lone All-Star ended his streak, but those baskets started an 11-0 run by the Mavs that Jason Terry capped with a 3-pointer that made it 69-48 with 4 minutes left.

With the Mavericks facing four games in five-day stretch before the All-Star break starting Sunday, Nowitzki played only a season-low 26 minutes. He left the game for good with 1:56 left in the third quarter.

Nowitzki, coming off his first career triple-double on Wednesday night, hit 7-of-10 field goals and made all seven free throws. He also had six rebounds.

Rudy Gay led Memphis with 18 points and matched a season best with 12 rebounds. Mike Miller scored 15 points.

AP-ES-02-08-08 2258EST