Nuggets 115, Mavericks 110: Wilson Chandler scored 21 points and Ty Lawson had 17 of his 20 points in the first quarter as host Denver started fast and held on to snap a six-game slide.

J.J. Hickson scored 16 points off the bench on 8-of-10 shooting and recorded five blocked shots for the Nuggets, who improved to 3-0 this season against Dallas. Randy Foye and Kenneth Faried added 16 points apiece as Denver ended a five-game skid at home.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 27 points while Brandan Wright had 18 in a reserve role. Vince Carter added 17 points and Monta Ellis tallied 16 for Dallas, which lost its third straight game for the first time this season.

The Nuggets followed up their 45-point fourth quarter against Minnesota on Monday by scoring 41 in the first quarter of this one and went up 59-40 when Aaron Brooks had a layup, a steal and a layup in a span of 15 seconds midway through the second. Denver still led by 15 late in the third before Dallas scored the final nine points of the period - four by Wright - to get within 79-73.

Chandler hit a 3-pointer to begin the fourth and moments later ignited a 13-0 outburst that Hickson capped with a dunk to make it 95-75 with 7:40 to go. The Nuggets then put the finishing touches on a 30-of-36 showing from the line to withstand a furious last-minute rally and complete their first win since Feb. 3 against a team other than Milwaukee.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Denver made 5-of-7 3-pointers and 14-of-15 free throws in the first quarter. ... Brooks had four of the Nuggets' 12 steals. ... Mavericks G Devin Harris recorded a season-high 11 assists in 18 minutes.