Mavericks 112, Nuggets 95
MAVERICKS 112, NUGGETS 95: Dirk Nowitzki went for 33 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as Dallas snapped a seven-game road losing streak and put some breathing room between itself and Denver in the Western Conference standings.
Brandan Wright added 15 points off the bench and Rodrigue Beaubois chipped in 14 points and six assists for the Mavericks (27-20), who pulled into a tie for fifth place in the West with the Memphis Grizzlies (25-18).
The Nuggets (25-21), who are seventh, 1½ games behind Dallas, lost leading scorer Danilo Gallinari with a fractured left thumb.
Denver shot 64 percent from the floor in the first quarter and still could not keep pace with the Mavericks, who trailed for the last time when it was 8-6 in the opening minutes. The Nuggets fell behind 63-56 at the half and were down by as many as 16 points in the third quarter as Nowitzki stayed hot.
The reigning finals MVP shot 12 for 19 from the floor, including 3 for 4 from beyond the arc, and is averaging 28.5 points during the Mavericks’ four-game winning streak.
Nowitzki scored five points during a 9-4 run to start the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to 101-82 before taking a seat.
Arron Afflalo scored 24 points and Wilson Chandler added 13 off the bench in his season debut for Denver.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Nuggets guard Andre Miller (shoulder contusion) also left the game. … The Mavericks were without Shawn Marion (knee), Brendan Haywood (knee) and Delonte West (finger). … Dallas recorded a season-high 33 assists on 45 field goals.