Friday, November 9, 2001

Nowitzki, Mavs win fifth game of year

DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki scored 33 points, 23 in the first half, to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 105-91 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

Michael Finley had 18 points and Steve Nash added 13 points and 12 assists as the Mavericks improved to 5-1.

Nowitzki went 12-for-23 from the field and pulled down nine rebounds. Danny Manning had 13 points and six rebounds for Dallas.

Isaiah Rider’s 19 points paced the Nuggets, who fell to 1-4. Nick Van Exel added 13 points and seven assists.

The Nuggets got as close as 88-81 midway through the final quarter. But Shawn Bradley’s three-point play and a 20-footer from Finley with 6:28 left triggered an 11-4 run. That gave Dallas a 99-85 lead, and the Mavericks went on to remain perfect in three games at the new American Airlines Center.

Dallas opened the game with 25-9 run and carried a 53-46 advantage into halftime behind Nowitzki, who was 9-for-13 from the field in the first half and made all three of his 3-pointers.

Dallas held an 81-74 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

Notes: Mavericks guard Greg Buckner missed his fifth straight game due to a sprained ankle. ... Dallas swingman Adrian Griffin has sat out all six games due to back spasms. ... Bradley and James Posey of the Nuggets each received personal fouls and technicals after getting tangled up under the Dallas basket while jostling for rebound positioning in the second quarter. Bradley appeared to pull Posey to the floor, then the players exchanged shoves before they were pulled apart. ... Dallas forward Donnell Harvey sprained his left wrist in the second quarter and did not return.