Nuggets beat Mavs in 2nd round opener

Agence France-Presse

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Denver's Brazilian forward Nene scored 18 of his career playoff-high 24 points in the first half as Denver took a 51-47 halftime lead.

Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, including a dunk off a behind-the-back pass from JR Smith that roused the Denver fans in the waning minutes as the Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

"'Melo in foul trouble and kind of searching for an offensive confidence, we got it from Nene," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "The balance of our team has quietly been a strength of who we are. In the second half 'Melo got into the game, JR jumped into the game and our defense was fantastic."

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry scored 15 points apiece.

The Nuggests host game two tonight, hoping to extend their home winning streak to 14 games, including four in the postseason.

Denver appeared poised to run away with it in the third period, as their defense manufactured several fastbreak baskets.

"Offensively, we were good," Karl said, "but defensively we were really good."

That defense contributed to 20 Dallas turnovers, including eight by Jason Kidd - who had just three in the first round.

The Nuggets outscored the Mavericks 29-4 on fast breaks, but Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was particularly annoyed by Denver's 36-13 advantage from the free throw line.

"We're going to have to raise our level of aggression if that's what's going to get us to the free throw line," said Rick Carlisle after Mavs’ German star Nowitzki took just four foul shots and one technical.