GDT: Nuggets @ Mavs 7:30 CST

[DevinHarriswillstart]

After their win streak ended in the opener of this home-and-home set against Denver, the Dallas Mavericks have to be feeling confident about bouncing back on their own floor.

Led by Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks will try to extend their best home start in 10 years Monday night when they host the Nuggets.

Dallas (9-5) stormed back from an early 17-point deficit to take a late lead Saturday before Randy Foye sank his fifth 3-pointer in the waning moments to lift Denver to a 102-100 victory.

Foye finished with a season-high 17 points as the Nuggets (6-6) won their fifth in seven games while ending the Mavs' win streak at four. Ty Lawson had a team-high 20 points and nine assists, and Kenneth Faried added 18 points and 14 rebounds.

"We're getting them, that's all that matters, as long we're getting the wins," Faried said. "I'm excited. The team is excited and the coach is excited."

Faried has averaged 13.0 points on 21-of-36 shooting and 15.5 boards during a streak of four straight double-doubles against the Mavericks. Though he's also recorded four consecutive double-doubles at home, Faried only has only one in five road games.

Lawson ranks among the league's leaders with 24.6 points and 9.4 assists per game on the road. The point guard, however, has totaled 27 points and 11 assists over his last three trips to Dallas.

With another strong defensive effort, the Nuggets could move above .500 for the first time this season. They limited the Mavs to 40.2 percent shooting Saturday, including 7 of 21 from 3-point range.

That could prove a difficult task in Dallas, where the Mavericks have averaged 111.4 points and shot 50.0 percent from the field.

Dallas, which trailed by as many as 17 on Saturday, seeks its first 8-0 start at home since opening the 2003-04 season with 10 consecutive victories there.

Ellis has helped lead the way with a 26.6 home scoring average that ranks behind only Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant among the NBA's leaders. Ellis is also averaging a team-high 23.6 points overall after finishing with 25 on 8-of-14 shooting Saturday.

That production may continue against Denver, which Ellis torched for 31.2 points per game in his last five at home dating to his time with Golden State and Milwaukee.

Nowitzki had a game-high 27 points Saturday but missed a late shot that would have sent the game to overtime. The 11-time All-Star has averaged 24.3 points while hitting 11 of 25 from beyond the arc in his last six games.

"I've got to be a little better down the stretch," Nowitzki said. "I missed my last two or three shots."

Dallas will get its coach back after Rick Carlisle drew two technical fouls and was ejected by referee Tony Brothers in the second quarter.

Carlisle's club has a good chance to contribute to Denver's woes on the road. The Nuggets have given up 114 points or more three times while going 1-4 away from home.

The Mavericks will try to avoid their fourth loss in five games in this series.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400489080

[LSMF]

Mavs can beat this team, and should have on Saturday night. I want to see tough defense, boxing out and pushing the ball as much as possible. Let's Go Mavs.

[sefant77]

Marion defending Melo = easy win

[41mvp]

let's destroy them!!!

Go Mavs!!!

[Dirk's Knee]

Win. At home, the Mavs are killing it.

[Vinsanity]

Blowout win to be honest

[Melonhead]

Would love to see a blowout on a decent team. Defense defense defense, and push the fast breaks, and the driving by Ellis.

[LonghornDub]

If the Mavs lose this one I'm never watching them again tbh.

[JeffViggiano]

an other easy win

[Lestat_1795]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

Blowout win to be honest

This!

[sike]

Go Mavs!!

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Marion defending Melo = easy win

[vcmavs25]

Revenge kick their asses.

[LionDallas]

will be a tough game but I believe in a victory.

We need to push hard in defense and stop Faried in the off rebounds.

LET'S GO MAVS!

[sinsin]

Easiest Win of Easiest Wins

[LSMF]

I would love to see the Mavs do this after Denver misses : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzit8hEoEYI

[yahyes]

Would have been great if they still had the win streak going. But gotta move on by starting another win streak. Protect home!

[Jproxursoxoff]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

If the Mavs lose this one I'm never watching them again tbh.

LOL I was gonna say the same exact thing. Obviously neither of us mean it. I literally think to myself "If we lose, Im done." almost every game.

Originally Posted by LSMF

I would love to see the Mavs do this after Denver misses : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzit8hEoEYI

Also we have some guys that can leak out but those are also just some great passes by Love. For some reason I can easily see us turning a few of those over.

[Melonhead]

Have been a lot more on edge this year, mainly because time is running out for Dirk, and the Mavs semi have the pieces to do damage this year.

So count me in the group that is "done" if the mavs lose tonight!

[Sportstudi]

Go Mavs! Send them back to their manhole!

[sefant77]

After the game Cuban should knock Faried down and stick Crowder in his Nuggets jersey and keep Faried here.

No one would notice

[Skywalker]

link: http://rivos3.blogspot.com.br/

[Bayliss]

After the game Cuban should knock Faried down and stick Crowder in his Nuggets jersey and keep Faried here.

No one would notice

Nah, people would wonder why Crowder is all of sudden able to shoot.

[Vinsanity]

Wow DeJuan Blair gets the start over Dalembert

[Sportstudi]

I wouldn't call that a good, hard foul. It was unnecessary, especially that early. You can do it later, but I don't want to get Dirk in foul trouble early.

[Sportstudi]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

Wow DeJuan Blair gets the start over Dakembert

Dalembert has a sore rip.

[LSMF]

Excellent start!

[Sportstudi]

Calderon's 3 is just wet this season.

[Bayliss]

Denver only scored 4... but the defense is terrible so far. Denver has missed two layups and two free throws.

[Zaknaf3in]

It's shocking every time, how unbelievably unhealthy these US food adverts look - seriously, this triple steak something bun? Who would want to eat that? No offense.

[Vinsanity]

Monta surprisingly has a good post game for a guard

[Bayliss]

Nice move, Blair.

[Bayliss]

Sarge gets the call. He needs to make the most of the time tonight.

[Bayliss]

Carter and Sarge sub in... both commit a foul in about 10 seconds.

[Bayliss]

Dallas going to give up 30 again in the first.

[markus1234]

bench...well

[Bayliss]

They realize they can put pressure in the first quarter, right? They play no defense at all to start out the game.

[Sportstudi]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

They realize they can put pressure in the first quarter, right? They play no defense at all to start out the game.

Unfortunately, that's nothing new...

[markus1234]

A close win won't be a confidence builder. We need a 10+ W.

[Bayliss]

A close win won't be a confidence builder. We need a 10+ W.

The margin of victory is not nearly as important as it is a victory.