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Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points to help lead the Dallas Mavericks past the Denver Nuggets 105-95.
The Dallas Mavericks put up 64 points in the first half to take a 64-53 lead over the Denver Nuggets at halftime.
Rodrigue Beaubois scored 13 points off the bench to lead the Mavericks while Dirk Nowitzki added 12 points. Shawn Marion added nine points while Vince Carter and Delonte West each added seven points. Carter also finished with a team-high five assists in the first half. The Mavericks hit 51 percent of their field goal attempts and took care of the basketball only turning the ball over four times.
Rudy Fernandez and Nene each scored 11 points to lead the Nuggets who are trying to snap a three-game losing streak. Ty Lawson added 10 points and five assists in the first half. Denver actually out shot Dallas in the first half 54% - 51% but turned the ball over nine times. Denver is playing this game without Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov who are both out with injuries.
For more on the Mavericks, head over to Mavs Moneyball while Denver Stiffs has all the latest on the Nuggets. For more news and insights on the NBA, check out the SB Nation NBA hub page.
As the NBA begins the journey down the backstretch of their season with the All-Star game in their sights, many NBA teams are now settled into their schedules and know what kind of team they truly have. However, for the Dallas Mavericks, still ravaged by injuries and chemistry issues its still unclear what to expect from the defending champions on a nightly basis.
Tom Ziller's MVP Rankings were released on Wednesday and the Mavericks' biggest star, Dirk Nowitzki, is nowhere to be found. While Nowitzki has been in and out of the lineup trying to get back into shape, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Mavs need Nowitzki to win. Yet, in the last five games Dirk has averaged only 16.4 points/game and the Mavs are only 2-3 in that time. In the last two games, Dirk's been much improved but it still hasn't manifested into wins.
Dirk and the Mavericks will have another opportunity to turn themselves around versus Denver on Wednesday night, maybe the MVP will return in the process.
For more on the Mavericks, head over to Mavs Moneyball while Denver Stiffs has all the latest on the Nuggets. For more news and insights on the NBA, check out the SB Nation NBA hub page.
Over the last week, one of the only Western Conference teams struggling more than the Dallas Mavericks, currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak, has been the Denver Nuggets, who have lost five of their last six while being ravaged by injuries.
Danilo Gallinari, their 6'9 225 small forward, was receiving All-Star consideration before severely spraining his ankle in a 99-90 loss to the Houston Rockets Monday night.
Three of their other starters have missed time -- Nene, Arron Afflalo and Timofey Mozgov -- although Nene and Afflalo are expected back when they host the Mavericks on Wednesday night.
However, Denver, one of the deepest teams in the NBA, will still be a tough challenge for the aging Mavericks, who have struggled against fast, athletic teams like the Nuggets for years.
The back-court of Ty Lawson and Andre Miller carved up Dallas in their 115-93 victory over the Mavericks in late December, although the absence of Jason Kidd, who no longer has the foot-speed to stay in front of players like Lawson, may prove an unexpected benefit defensively.
Kidd's absence has been felt more on the offensive side of the ball, as Dallas has struggled with turnovers with Rodrigue Beaubois, Delonte West and Jason Terry running the point.
For Dirk Nowitzki, who has had an up-and-down season while struggling with his knee and conditioning in the compressed regular season, the match-up with Denver's Al Harrington at the power forward position should be an opportunity to regain some of his magic from last season's playoff run, as the 6'10 Harrington has no real conceivable shot of contesting Dirk's jumper.
The 8:00 PM game will be televised regionally on Fox Sports Southwest.
For more on the Mavericks, head over to Mavs Moneyball while Denver Stiffs has all the latest on the Nuggets.
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Mavericks Vs. Nuggets Final Score: Dallas Rolls To 105-95 Win In Denver
The Dallas Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak to the Denver Nuggets with a 105-95 win on Wednesday night. The Mavericks put up 64 points in the first half and although they cooled off in the second half were able to still keep the Nuggets at bay.
Dirk Nowitzki led five Mavericks players in double figures with 25 points and nine rebounds. Vince Carter added 17 points and eight assists while Rodrigue Beaubois and Shawn Marion finished with 13 points each. Brandan Wright came off the bench to finish in double figures with 10 points.
Al Harrington and Rudy Fernandez led the Nuggets with 17 points each. Ty Lawson added 16 points and 10 assists while Nene chipped in 16 points and 10 boards. Aaron Afflalo and Andre Miller finished with 12 and 11 points respectively.
Dallas improves to 15-11 on the season and moves to within 2.5 games of the San Antonio Spurs for the Southwest Division lead.
For more on the Mavericks, head over to Mavs Moneyball while Denver Stiffs has all the latest on the Nuggets. For more news and insights on the NBA, check out the SB Nation NBA hub page.
Feb 08 10:28p by Kris Willis