Mavs, Nuggets meet in Denver

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they visit the Denver Nuggets Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

The Mavericks lost at home to Chicago last Friday, then opened a quick trip with Sunday's 112-106 setback to San Antonio. Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter scored 22 and 21 points, respectively, while Monta Ellis was the other double- digit scorer with 17 points.

Dallas had won four in a row and 10 of 12 games before losing to the Spurs, whose lead never dipped below five points.

"I'm disappointed by the result but not the effort. We've got one more shot at these guys at our place and we'll be ready for that," said Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.

The Mavs are seventh in the West and have a 17-15 road record. They had a four-game road winning streak snapped in the Alamo City and will return home this weekend to host Portland and Indiana.

Denver is playing itself out of a postseason spot, having lost six in a row and 11 of 12 games. It opened a three-game homestand with Monday's 132-128 loss to Minnesota, as Ty Lawson returned from a rib injury to post 31 points and 11 assists. Lawson had missed the previous nine games (1-8).

Wilson Chandler had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Randy Foye netted 22 and Kenneth Faried ended with 21 for the Nuggets, losers in five straight in the Mile High City. The Nuggets shot 52.6 percent and scored 28 points on 18 Minnesota turnovers, but it wasn't enough to stop the slide.

"When you're playing uphill like that, it's tough to come back and actually get the win," Lawson said of his team playing from behind. "We got it down to two and they just made their free throws at the end."

The Nuggets will close the homestand Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers and have a 14-16 record at the Pepsi Center.

Denver has beaten Dallas twice already this season and is 4-1 in the previous five meetings between the teams. The Mavericks have lost eight of 12 trips to Colorado.