The Denver Nuggets (18 - 20) defeated the Dallas Mavericks (27 - 13) 114 - 107 on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Coming out of the third quarter, the Nuggets racked up a 90 - 78 lead. The Mavericks made a run in the fourth quarter though, out - scoring the Nuggets 29 - 24, but their comeback came up just short and the Nuggets were able to secure a surprising victory in front of their home crowd. Denver shot much better in this game, going 50 percent from the field, while the Mavericks shot just 41 percent. The Nuggets also out - rebounded the Mavericks 51 - 39. Ty Lawson was a force in this game, going 10 - for - 18 from the field and 9 - for - 13 from the free throw line to score 29 points, while also adding 12 assists. The 13 free throw attempts were a season - high for Lawson, as he continually drew fouls on Maverick defenders who could n't keep up with him. Kenneth Faried had a strong showing as well, finishing with 22 points (7 - 12 FG, 8 - 8 FT) and 14 rebounds. It was the fifth time in his last six games recording 12 or more rebounds. Wilson Chandler was the third Nugget to record a double - double, adding 15 points (6 - 13 FG, 1 - 5 3Pt, 2 - 4 FT) and 10 rebounds. It was his fifth double - double of the season. Coming off the bench, J.J. Hickson was able to provide a nice boost with the second unit. Hickson went 6 - for - 9 from the field to record 13 points, while also adding a eight rebounds in 21 minutes. The only other Nugget to reach double figures was Arron Afflalo, who finished with 12 points (4 - 11 FG, 2 - 6 3Pt, 2 - 2 FT). Despite the loss, the Mavericks saw a ridiculous eight players reach double - digits in points. Somewhat unheard of, all five players who came off the bench were included in those eight who reached double figures. Jose Barea was the scoring leader from the bench, scoring 17 points (6 - 15 FG, 1 - 5 3Pt, 4 - 4 FT) and handing out six assists in only 21 minutes. He was very efficient in his time on the court, matching a season - high in points. Moving into the starting lineup with Dirk Nowitzki sitting out for rest, Richard Jefferson took advantage of the extra playing time, going 6 - for - 13 from the field and 4 - for - 9 from the three - point line to score 16 points, while grabbing six rebounds. Like Barea, it was a season - high in points for him as well. Chandler Parsons finished with 13 points (6 - 13 FG, 1 - 5 3Pt) in 28 minutes. He's a combined 3 - of - 14 from the three - point line over the last three games, as he's struggled to hone in on his shot. Monta Ellis also had a brutal night from the field, scoring only five points (1 - 11 FG, 0 - 2 3Pt, 3 - 4 FT) in 21 minutes. Rajon Rondo (Achilles) and Tyson Chandler (ankle) sat out with injuries. These two teams will play each other again on Friday in the second of their back - to - back, home - and - home series.
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 "PlayerStat(G,'Chandler Parsons') has 5 Assists ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ,has 13 3-pointers made ,has 6 Field goals attempted ,has 28 Field goals made ,has 13 Free throws attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Monta Ellis') has 2 Assists ,has 0 3-pointers attempted ,has 11 3-pointers made ,has 1 Field goals attempted ,has 4 Field goals made ,has 3 Free throws attempted ,has 5 Free throws made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'J.J. Barea') has 6 Assists ,has 5 3-pointers attempted ,has 1 3-pointers made ,has 15 Field goals attempted ,has 6 Field goals made ,has 4 Free throws attempted ,has 4 Free throws made ,has 21 Minutes played ,has 17 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Wilson Chandler') has 5 Assists ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ,has 13 3-pointers made ,has 6 Field goals attempted ,has 4 Field goals made ,has 2 Free throws attempted ,has 15 Free throws made ,has 10 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kenneth Faried') has 12 Assists ,has 7 3-pointers attempted ,has 8 3-pointers made ,has 8 Field goals attempted ,has 22 Field goals made ,has 14 Free throws attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Arron Afflalo') has 6 Assists ,has 2 3-pointers attempted ,has 11 3-pointers made ,has 4 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Field goals made ,has 2 Free throws attempted ,has 12 Free throws made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Ty Lawson') has 12 Assists ,has 18 3-pointers attempted ,has 10 3-pointers made ,has 13 Field goals attempted ,has 9 Field goals made ,has 29 Free throws attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'JJ Hickson') has 9 Assists ,has 6 3-pointers attempted ,has 13 3-pointers made ,has 8 Field goals attempted ."]