Jamal Murray’s season-high scoring night came on the heels of Michael Malone almost shutting him down at halftime in Denver’s previous game on Sunday.

More importantly, the win gave Denver a one-and-a-half-game lead over Dallas for fourth place in the Western Conference standings. They're now 2-1 against the Mavericks in the regular season series. The Nuggets are also just 1.5 games behind the third-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.

Jamal Murray scored 32 of his season-high 45 points in the first half and led the Denver Nuggets to a 118-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks

They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Mavericks 96-79. The Nuggets entered the game having won three straight and they're just one quarter away from another. Will they make it four,

The Denver Nuggets head back to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in the second of a two game set. The Nuggets are 23-15, which puts them in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Mavs are 22-17, which puts them directly behind Denver in fifth place.

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SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks and predictions for Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night

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The Nuggets have won three straight including a 112-101 win Sunday in Dallas against these Mavericks. Russell Westbrook scored 21 to pace the Nuggets while also pulling down 10 rebounds. Klay Thompson had 25 for the Mavs in the loss. That defeat snapped a modest two-game win streak for Dallas.