DENVER — The Denver Nuggets turned a close game into a laugher by dropping 62 points in the second half to run past the visiting Dallas Mavericks at the Ball Arena on Tuesday.
Jamal Murray scored 22 points, going 4 for 4 from 3-point range, to pace the 130-104 victory. Aaron Gordon added 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists while veteran Reggie Jackson provided some needed punch off the bench with 20.
It was Murray’s first game since missing 15 contests due to injuries. He did not skip a beat.
“I feel good. I can’t complain,” he told reporters. “I think we’re still just trying to, not find our rhythm, but all be on the court healthy at one time,” he added.
Nikola Jokic had an unsually quiet night with just eight points, but the Nuggets carried the day by shooting 56.3 percent from the field (49-of-87) and 53.8 percent from three (14-of-26).
“I thought our bench was really good tonight,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “That group played the right way, building good habits.” Indeed, The Denver reserves outscored the Mavericks bench, 62-34.
The Nuggets led by seven points, 77-70 with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter. They closed out the period on a 21-10 run to enter the fourth with a firm lead, 98-80. They would continue to push the pace and never looked back.
The Mavericks were missed the services of Kyrie Irving (heel), Josh Green (elbow), Maxi Kleber (toe), and Dereck Lively II (ankle).
Doncic carried Dallas by shooting 10 of 16 in the first half. The Mavericks guard cooled down in the second half, shooting only three for 8. He ultimately finished with 38 points and 11 rebounds.
Dante Exum chipped in 11 points and two assists. Jaden Hardy added nine points and Tim Hardaway Jr. notched eight points, going two for nine from 3-point range.
“When we can’t score and we can’t get stops, that’s not a great recipe to win,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “We have to be better.”
