DALLAS, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Raef LaFrentz had season highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks overcame a shaky start Monday night en route to an 86-71 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Acquired from Denver prior to last season's trading deadline, LaFrentz was re-signed to a seven-year, $60 million contract in the offseason and now is part of the NBA's best team - a club that many players would jump at the chance to be on.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets are trying to clear salary cap room in a rebuilding project and are among the NBA's worst teams, destined for the lottery. Denver came in 20 games behind Dallas in the Midwest Division.
LaFrentz, who spent time on the injured list earlier this season, had his best game at the expense of his old club, making 6-of-10 shots from the field.
Michael Finley scored 19 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 18 for the Mavs, who finally pulled away from the pesky Nuggets with a 16-5 fourth-quarter run.
Juwan Howard, who was in the deal for LaFrentz, had 22 points and 14 rebounds for Denver, which lost for the 17th time in its last 19 games.
