The Nuggets showed the Mavericks how tough they are at the Pepsi Center. It could be two days or it could be two weeks. We'll know more on Monday. Van Exel and Kevin Willis scored 18 points apiece for Denver, which snapped a six-game losing streak to Dallas. The Mavericks, who have not reached the postseason since 1990, fell to 28-18.
Every team is tough.
They played well tonight without two of their better players. They executed and we didn't. Michael Finley scored 32 points, Nash added 23 and Dirk Nowitzki 21 for the Mavs, who had won four of their last five games. Two more free throws by Willis doubled the margin before Nash led back Dallas. Finley scored 24 points in the first half as Dallas opened a 58-53 lead.