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Mavericks look for revenge against surging Nuggets

Dec 15, 2008 - 2:51 PM Denver (16-7) at Dallas (13-9), 8:30pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Dallas Mavericks' last meeting with the Denver Nuggets is one they would just as soon forget.

In that game, Chauncey Billups made his Denver Nuggets debut - in his second stint with the club - to lead the Nuggets to a 108-105 triumph early last month.

That defeat kicked off a five-game losing streak for the Mavericks. Back at home on Monday night, the Mavericks hope to return the favor as they host the surging Nuggets.

Things have changed around Dallas since that November skid. The Mavericks have won 11 of 13 to surge back into contention. Most recently, Dirk Nowitzki dropped a season-high 46 points as the Mavs held off the Oklahoma City Thunder, 103-99, on Saturday.

The Nuggets have been riding a hot streak of their own - dating all the way back to when they acquired Billups. He has provided some much-needed consistency on both sides of the ball, leading Denver to the top of the Northwest Division. The Nuggets are 15-4 with Billups manning the point.

This month in particular, the Nuggets have been lighting up the scoreboard. In their four victories this month, they have averaged 122.3 points per contest. That includes Carmelo Anthony's 33-point outburst - in the third quarter, that is - en route to their 116-105 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday.

Anthony followed that up three days later with a 27-point showing in a 123-105 rout of the Golden State Warriors.