Dallas, TX -- (Sports Network) - Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 31 points and Dallas showed the defensive toughness it had not demonstrated in past playoff failures, as the Mavericks defeated Memphis, 103-93, in the opener of their Western Conference quarterfinal series at American Airlines Center.

Nowitzki also pulled down 11 rebounds, part of a dominating effort on the glass by the Mavericks. Dallas held a 40-29 edge on the boards and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.

"We have to attack from all angles and play together on both ends of the floor," said Nowitzki.

Jason Terry contributed 20 points while Erick Dampier posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in the victory for Dallas, which received the fourth seed despite holding the conference's second best overall record.

"These two teams have a lot of pride. Memphis doesn't back down from anybody, and it has not played its best game yet," Dallas head coach Avery Johnson said.

Pau Gasol scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Eddie Jones donated 16 points in defeat. Jake Tsakalidis and Bobby Jackson totaled 11 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who entered the postseason on a five-game winning streak.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will take place on Wednesday at American Airlines Center.

Memphis' biggest problem throughout the contest -- rebounding -- again reared its head early in the fourth. Terry misfired on a long jumper, but Dampier established inside position and collected the offensive rebound before scoring from in close while being fouled. The subsequent free throw gave Dallas an 88-78 lead with 9:51 on the clock.

The Mavericks' much-improved defense then held Memphis to one field goal over a four-minute span, allowing the lead to grow.

An 8-0 burst put the game away, as Jerry Stackhouse drained four free throws, Marquis Daniels converted a finger roll and Terry's two free throws made the score 100-82 with 5:40 left.

Daniels scored 13 points off the bench while Stackhouse added 14 points as a reserve.

Dallas was never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

The Mavericks ended the first period with an 8-2 burst to seize a 28-22 edge. Nowitzki's jumper opened the run and the big man's two free throws with eight ticks left rounded out the first-quarter scoring.

Nowitzki led all scorers with 13 points while Jones tallied nine for the Grizzlies. Memphis shot 53.8 percent for the stanza, but committed five costly turnovers.

Dallas used a 16-6 scoring stretch to increase its lead to 60-48 in the closing moments of the first half. Terry and Daniels combined to score the first eight Maverick points during the burst, and Dampier's emphatic slam capped the spurt with just 34 ticks left.

Mike Miller drained a three to bring Memphis within single digits, 60-51, with 14 seconds to play in the half. The Grizzlies were within nine despite a no- show offensively from Gasol, who tallied just three points and did not make a field goal in the opening 24 minutes.

"The fact that we were down nine with Pau (Gasol) 0-for-5 and the offensive rebounds 12-1, that's not bad," said Grizzlies head coach Mike Fratello.

Memphis did shoot 60.7 percent as a team, but was undone by Dallas' dominance on the offensive glass. The Mavericks corralled 12 offensive boards, including five from Dampier.

The Grizzlies cut into the Mavericks' lead during the third stanza, ripping off a 15-6 run to pull within one. Gasol tallied six of the points. Jackson's three made the score 75-72 then Gasol drained two from the charity stripe with 3:15 left in the quarter.

Dallas led 82-78 after three quarters.

Game Notes

The Mavericks won three of the four meetings between the clubs during the regular season and have now won four consecutive games against Memphis...The Grizzlies have lost 11 of their last 12 at Dallas...Gasol still does not have a playoff victory on his distinguished resume, as the club was swept out of the first round by San Antonio in 2004 and Phoenix the following year...The winning team has scored over 100 points in 16 of the last 20 meetings...Miller had nine points in the loss...Memphis committed 19 turnovers...The Grizzlies only had six total rebounds at halftime.