Dallas lost both regular-season games and all three playoff games at the Pepsi Center last season, but on a night when their starters combined for just 55 points, the Mavericks found a way to defeat Denver 104-96, just the Nuggets’ second home loss this season.
After an uninspired three quarters Sunday, Denver finally chipped away at Dallas’ lead in the fourth, cutting it to five points with 1:13 left. But ice-cold Dirk Nowitzki torched Denver when it mattered most, hitting a 3-pointer over Kenyon Martin with 50.5 seconds left. The Mavericks played with a vengeance, and understandably so, after Denver demolished Dallas in the 2009 playoffs, 4-1.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony entered the game as the NBA’s top scorer (30.4 per game), but by late in the third quarter, he was hidden on the bench under a towel, just 4-for-18 (12 points). Anthony returned in the fourth quarter, but before he could get a shot off, he was handed his fifth foul (with 10:02 remaining) and went back on the bench. Melo fouled out with 2:57 left — he was 5-for-19 for 16 points with 12 rebounds.
Dallas’ star wasn’t that much better. Often smothered by Martin’s defense, Nowitzki was just 4-for-11 entering the fourth quarter (eight points), and he finished 6-for-15 for 13 points, but three of them were huge.
It was Martin who didn’t mince words about Dallas owner Mark Cuban last postseason, after Cuban allegedly insulted him in remarks to Martin’s mother in the stands in Dallas. On Sunday, Martin had one of his better games this season, playing sharp defense and scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds.
Nuggets all-star point guard Chauncey Billups didn’t play in the game, resting his strained groin, and he also will sit out tonight’s game at Sacramento. Ty Lawson started at point guard, finishing with 16 points and four assists.
