DALLAS — The Nuggets went on a 20-8 run to open the third quarter in Dallas Friday, turning a one-point halftime lead into a 114-104 win against the Mavericks in Denver’s first game after the All-Star break.
The Nuggets (40-18) poured it on in the third, outscoring Dallas 39-23 to put the game out of reach in the fourth.
Dallas (26-32) was without rookie guard Luka Doncic, who sat out with a sore wrist. Doncic, just 19, came into the game averaging 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
Will Barton was one of the Nuggets’ role players who sparked the decisive run in the game, hitting a 3-pointer on the wing to force the Mavericks into an early timeout with the Nuggets up, 57-51.