Jamal Murray’s season-high scoring night came on the heels of Michael Malone almost shutting him down at halftime in Denver’s previous game on Sunday.

In a fierce Western showdown at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks fought to defend their home court from Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks, who are still without Luka Doncic,

Jamal Murray, who signed a four-year, $208 million contract extension last year, produced his best offensive performance of the season Tuesday, scoring a season-high 45 points in leading the Denver Nuggets to a 118-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.