RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
DENVER (AP) -- Quick starts and controlled finishes have
translated into success for the Dallas Mavericks.
That proved to be the winning formula again Monday night.
Michael Finley scored 26 points, including 11 in the fourth
quarter, and Dirk Nowitzki added 18 points as the Mavericks beat
the Denver Nuggets 108-96.
"We try to jump on people early and let them know we are ready
to pay with a lot of energy," said Nowitzki, who had 11 points in
the first quarter as Dallas jumped to a 28-25 lead. "We had good
starts in every game except against Utah, and it has got us
going."
Finley was 4-of-6 from the field with two free throws in the
fourth quarter. He finished 9-of-17 from the field and 7-of-7 from
the free throw line as the Mavericks defeated Denver for the fourth
time in five meetings, and 14 out of 18.
"We are not getting rattled when adverse situations come up
like in the past," said Finley. "We know that if we execute
offensively and get a couple of defensive stops the momentum can
change in our favor."
Howard Eisley scored 10 of his 14 points in the final period for
Dallas.
"Everybody played pretty well in terms of having good shots and
doing what they were supposed to," said Dallas coach Don Nelson.
"Howard had more patience, something that we worked with him on
Sunday."
Raef LaFrentz, who led the Nuggets with 23 points, scored only
two points in the decisive fourth quarter. Robert Pack had 17
points.
"The third period was good, but we were just so passive in the
other three periods," said Denver coach Dan Issel of the Nuggets,
who outscored Dallas 23-18 in the third quarter. "We can't play 10
or 12 minutes a game."
LaFrentz nearly erased Denver's 11-point halftime deficit,
scoring 13 points to start the third quarter. Combined with two
free throws by James Posey with 5:53 left, the Nuggets trailed by
five points.
Nowitzki's tip, off a miss by Steve Nash, put the Mavericks
ahead 74-66. Voshon Lenard sank three free throws, but Dallas still
took a 75-69 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets trailed 77-72 with 9:46 left after two free throws
by Pack, but Eisley buried a 15-footer from the corner and
Finley dunked with 8:05 remaining, as Dallas opened a 10-point
lead.
Dallas shot 8-for-8 from the line in the last two minutes to
keep the double-digit lead.
"This was frustrating for us," LaFrentz said. "We got it to
five points in the third quarter and then fell apart.
Game notes
Antonio McDyess returned to Denver's starting lineup after
missing the Phoenix game with lower back spasms. ... Christian
Laettner picked up his third foul five minutes into the game
defending McDyess. ... The Nuggets have trailed at halftime in all
four of their games. ... The Mavericks Greg Buckner sat out the game
with a sprained right foot. ... The Mavericks have not allowed 100
points in their three wins.
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NBA Scoreboard
Dallas Clubhouse
Denver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Orlando 110
Seattle 99
Dallas 108
Denver 96
Utah 98
Minnesota 92
Vancouver 97
Atlanta 87
Sacramento 79
Portland 75
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