DALLAS, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Shawn Bradley and Michael Finley came off the bench to lead a second-quarter charge Thursday night as the Dallas Mavericks built a big lead and hung on for a 91-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Bradley scored 11 of his 19 points and Finley chipped in seven of his 12 in the second quarter as the Mavericks built a 52-40 halftime cushion. Dallas took a 17-point lead into the sloppy final quarter.
Raja Bell, who signed in the offseason as a free agent, contributed 14 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 12 in 16 minutes for the Mavericks.
Dallas swingman Tariq Abdul-Wahad and guard Nick Van Exel sat out with sore right knees.
Denver learned Thursday it will be without veteran forward Marcus Camby for at least the first month of the season following hip surgery.
Brazilian rookie Nene Hilario had an up-and-down game, leading the Nuggets with 14 points and nine rebounds but committing five turnovers and fouling out in just 22 minutes.
Mark Blount and James Posey each had 12 points for Denver.
