Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to shoot against Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter of an NBA game in Dallas, Jan. 3, 2022.
Luka Doncic had 21 points and matched a season-high with 15 assists as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Denver Nuggets 103-89 on Monday night.
Dwight Powell and Reggie Bullock added 15 points each for the Mavericks, who swept a back-to-back and matched their longest winning streak of the season at three games.
Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Nuggets, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.
The Nuggets trailed by nine at halftime but were within 76-72 with 8:22 to play before the Mavericks pulled away on a 22-10 run that featured six 3-pointers.
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Denver committed a season-high 26 turnovers and was outscored 28-14 in points off turnovers.
Dallas played without Kristaps Porzingis, who entered the COVID-19 health and safety protocol on Monday morning. The Mavericks just got back Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber from the protocol for Sunday night's win at Oklahoma City. Doncic missed five games while in the protocol after missing five with an injured knee.
The Nuggets had three players in the protocol, including regular starters Jeff Green and Monte Morris, but got back Bones Hyland after a one-game absence.
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Denver was led by replacement coach Popeye Jones, who was filling in for fellow assistant David Adelman. Adelman was filling in for head coach Michael Malone, who entered the protocol on Thursday.
The Mavericks led 46-37 at halftime after leading by as many as 13 points. Dallas outscored Denver 16-4 in the half when Jokic was off the floor, all four points coming on free throws.
BENCH JOCKEYING
Jokic and teammate Austin Rivers were assessed technical fouls during the first half while on the bench. Rivers was still unhappy after receiving his second personal foul seconds earlier.
TIP-INS
Nuggets:7-foot-2 Bol Bol hit his first 3-pointer this season in four tries. . Reserve forward Vlatko Cancar was carried to the locker room in the final minute of the third period with an apparent ankle injury.
Mavericks: They moved back over .500 for the first time since Dec. 13. . Kleber blocked Jokic twice in the first half and also made a steal from the defending MVP.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Hosting Utah on Wednesday.
Mavericks: Hosting Golden State on Wednesday with Dirk Nowitzki's No. 41 jersey retired after the game.
