MyDallasMavs: Mavs Fall to Denver and Lose Fourth Straight

After a long and tiring 6-game road trip in 10 days, the Mavs flew back home to Dallas to face the Denver Nuggets at the AAC. Losing three straight games, the Mavs hoped to end this rough streak but failed after falling 104-96.

Chandler sat out his second straight game due to his lower back contusion. Carlisle also decided to sit Kidd out to get some much needed rest. This being said, Roddy and Stevenson started in the backcourt next to Marion and Dirk, as Haywood replaced Chandler.

Dallas knew this game wouldn't be easy without two of their important starters, and it wasn't.

Marion scored the Mavs' first 6 points but with Chandler out, it was hard for Dallas to cover Nene inside. The Mavs were off to a bad start offensively and committed five turnovers in the first quarter. The Mavs hit just 8 of 25 in the first and were down 23-17 going into the second quarter.

Brewer stepped up in the second quarter with his great perimeter shooting and finishes to temporarily keep the Mavs in the game. But despite Brewers' efforts, the Nuggets took a double-digit lead. Nene continued to fight and pushed Denver to a lead as large as 13 before heading into halftime with the lead over the Mavs, 53-43.

The Mavs were outshot in the first half 50% to 43.2%. Marion and W. Chandler both had 11 points at the half while Brewer added 9 off the bench.

To start the second half, Carlisle put in Brewer over Stevenson to give the Mavs a lift, but Denver still lead by as much as 15. However, the Mavericks never gave up, and with the help of Marion and Terry, they managed to cut the deficit to 3 points, heading into the fourth quarter down just 72-69.

In the fourth, Dirk gave the Mavs a 77-76 lead-their first since a 6-5 score in the first quarter-although it didn't last for long. The Nuggets regained the lead after their shots kept falling in, and after numerous 3-pointers, Denver had a 94-85 lead with just under 6 minutes to go. However, the Mavs would fight back yet again, responding with a 10-0 run to tie the game at 94. It was a constant battle as the Nuggets also answered with a 10-0 run to keep the Mavs down. The Nuggets once again took advantage of the Mavs' turnovers late in the game and held them off to win it, 104-96.

Despite the loss, the Mavs outshot the Nuggets 48.8% to 47.7%. They also out-rebounded the Nuggets 45-40 and had a 21-17 edge in second-chance points. On the downside, the Mavs gave up 17 turnovers which led to 25 Denver points.

Marion led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Dirk was right behind him with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Off the bench, Terry scored 15 points, Barea had 12 points and 10 assists, while Brewer added 13.

Off the Denver bench, JR Smith led his team with 23 points. Martin had 18 points, Chandler had 16, and Gallo and Harrington each added 10 of their own.

The Mavs' how now lost four straight games and will try to end their slump in the second game of their homestand, as they play the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night. The Mavs lead the Clippers in the season series 3-0 and are hoping for the season series sweep.

Whether Chandler will play Friday night is still unknown, and Carlisle might rest Kidd yet again for the playoffs.