DALLAS _ Salah Mejri sets defensive tone early with three big blocks as Mavs top NuggetsSalah Mejri wasted no time saluting the men and women from the military who were seated courtside Monday night.
He gave the Denver Nuggets a dose of "not in my house" with three quick blocked shots that set the tone for a defensive-minded 112-92 Mavericks' win over the road-weary Denver Nuggets on Seats for Soldiers night at American Airlines Center.
Mejri made the opening statement, then Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes and Deron Williams took over with strong scoring nights as the Mavericks won their second consecutive home game and improved to 6-18 on the season.
That's tied with Minnesota and Philadelphia for the worst record in the NBA. But the Mavericks have won four of their last nine to create a little better vibe in the locker room.
Matthews had 25 points, Barnes had 18 and Williams had 17. But it was a Mejri kind of night as he finished with four blocks to go with seven points and eight rebounds in only 22 minutes.
The Nuggets were finishing off a six-game road trip at 2-4. The Mavericks made sure it was over quickly. They never trailed, were up by 22 at halftime and cruised in the second half.
