Mavericks come home hoping Denver Nuggets’ recent woes continue

Nuggets at Mavericks

7:30 p.m. Monday, American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: FSSW

Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; ESPN/1540 AM (Spanish)

Records: Nuggets 9-15, Mavericks 5-18

About the Nuggets: Denver has lost seven of its last 10 games but is coming off a 121-113 victory Saturday over the Orlando Magic on the road. Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points to lead the Nuggets. Kenneth Faried came off the bench to add 19 points and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes for the Nuggets. It’s the fifth time the Nuggets have scored at least 120 points in a game this season. ... The Nuggets have seven players averaging at least 10 points a game. Wilson Chandler leads the Nuggets in scoring a 18.0 points a game, despite just two starts, while Gallinari averages 16.4 points. Emmanuel Mudiay, who played his high school ball at Grace Prep in Arlington and Prime Prep in Dallas, averages 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

About the Mavericks: Dallas opens a two-game homestand that concludes Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons. ... The Mavs entered Sunday tied with the Philadelphia 76ers with the worst record in the NBA. ... Dirk Nowitzki, No. 6 all time in NBA scoring and the Mavs’ franchise player, could begin practicing at some point this week, owner Mark Cuban said. Nowitzki has only played in five games this season because of a strained right Achilles. Nowitzki hasn’t played since Nov. 23 against the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Wesley Matthews has scored 26 points four times in the last seven games, including back-to-back games, Friday’s win over the Indiana Pacers and Saturday’s 109-87 loss at Houston. The 26 points are his season high.

This story was originally published December 11, 2016 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Mavericks come home hoping Denver Nuggets’ recent woes continue."