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Nikola Jokic was one assist away from a triple-double as the Nuggets beat the Mavericks 117-110

Posted at 11:04 PM, Dec 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-20 01:04:37-05

DENVER -- Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 14 rebounds, Gary Harris scored a career-high 24 points and the Denver Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks 117-107 on Monday night.

Jokic finished an assist shy of his first career triple-double and tied his career high in points to help the Nuggets win their third straight game. Emmanuel Mudiay scored 18 points.

Deron Williams led Dallas with 23 points and eight assists.

Denver's offensive surge started after its 20-point loss in Dallas on Dec. 12. Coach Michael Malone shook up his starting lineup and the Nuggets have responded by scoring 30 or more points in eight of the last 12 quarters and are averaging 125.3 points since the change.

They've gotten it done with contributions from different players and Harris was a big contributor Monday. The third-year guard out of Michigan State is averaging 19.3 points since returning from a foot injury.

Harris got the Nuggets started early, scoring 16 in the first half as Denver overcame a 16-point deficit to lead by two at the break. The lead grew to 12 in the third but Dallas made a run to get within six late in the fourth. Jokic hit a 3-pointer, a short jumper and fed Wilson Chandler for a layup for his ninth assist.

Jokic had a chance for his 10th assist but Mudiay missed his only 3-pointer off a pass.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: G J.J. Barea returned to the lineup after missing a month with a strained right calf. He had 11 points in 13 minutes. ... Andrew Bogut (right knee) and Dirk Nowitzki (right Achilles) are hoping to return for the start of 2017.

Nuggets: G Jamal Murray played despite a sore right foot. He had three points in 14 minutes. ... C Jusuf Nurkic didn't play a game after logging just eight minutes.

TALL TALE

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle joked before Monday's game that Jokic was taller than his listed 6-foot-11.

"That's (ridiculous). He is probably like 7-4," Carlisle said. "His arms are crazy long. He's a guy that's plays an on-the-floor game but he is some player. Some of his passing is ridiculously creative and he can make shots. We know he can grab it and put in the basket because he did it about six times last game."

UP NEXT

Mavericks: At Portland on Wednesday night.

Nuggets: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.