Mavericks 97 Nuggets 89: Game 41 Recap

The Lead
Dirk's hot start leads to a wire-to-wire win as the Mavs split their two games in a row against Denver.

Box Score 

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Nowitzki, 25
Rebounds: Chandler, 16
Assists: Rondo, 8
+-: Nowitzki, Chandler, +16
Nuggets
Points: Afflalo, 16
Rebounds: Hickson, 14
Assists: Lawson, 12
+-: Hickson, +8

Game Ball
Dirk Nowitzki
25 points, 9 rebounds, 8-18 FG, 4-5 3PT

X-Factor
Chandler Parsons
18 points, 7 rebounds, 6-11 FG, 5-6 FT

Goat Horns
Jusuf Nurkic
2 points, 1-7 FG

Play of the Game
Midway through the third quarter, Chandler Parsons drove to the basket and dunked ferociously right on J.J. Hickson for a poster slam.

Stat of the Game
The Mavericks took advantage of a Denver team that allows the most free throws in the league by making 23-29 from the line.  Meanwhile the Nuggets went only 12-25 on their free throws.

Of Note

• The Mavericks finished the first half of the season with a 28-13 record, their best mark after 41 games since they were also 28-13 in 2007-08.
• The Mavericks got off to a 13-2 lead to start the game led by Dirk scoring the team's first 10 points including hitting 2 threes.
• After an 11 point game in Denver, Dwight Powell saw action as the backup center, scoring 4 points and recording 2 steals in 14 minutes.
• Rajon Rondo's return to lineup was felt as helped hold Ty Lawson to 3-13 shooting including 1-10 in the first three quarters.
• After being baldy outrebounded of late including in Wednesday's game, the Mavs tied the rebounding battle at 52 apiece led by 16 boards by Tyson Chandler.
• Former Mav Jameer Nelson had 14 points and 7 assists in his first game for the Nuggets since being traded from Boston.

Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: A-
Chandler: A
Ellis: B-
Rondo: B
Harris: C+
Aminu: B+
Powell: B
Barea: B
Jefferson: C

Quote of Note
"It's one game. I still have to prove myself regardless of the situation. I'm just going to keep trying to work hard and show him that I'm working hard and bring full effort every time he gives me an opportunity."
Dwight Powell on entering the rotation.

They Tweeted It

dirk >>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://t.co/mMsQWO3vBP
— Lana Berry (@Lana) January 17, 2015

Next Up
The Mavs (28-13) hit the road again for a MLK day matinee on Monday, against the division leading Grizzlies (28-11).