Now it's a trend. The Mavericks believe they are far better equipped this season to handle big-time scorers at the shooting guard and small forward positions because of three reaons: 1) a healthy Josh Howard 2) the addition of Shawn Marion 3) a concentrated effort on executing team defense.

As we explained Saturday night after the win over Memphis, the Mavs have done an excellent job this season making the game's top scorers work for their points.

Add Denver's Carmelo Anthony, the league's leading scorer at better than 30 points a game, to the list. Anthony finished with 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Anthony entered the game having posted 30 points or more in eight of the last 11 games. This is just the third time Anthony was held to less than 20 this season and his five field goals tied his season-low.

Anthony also fouled out just as the Nuggets were making a fourth-quarter run, allowing frustration to get the best of him. Remember, in last year's playoff series, Howard played six minutes into Game 2 and was lost for the series. The Mavs relied heavily on Antoine Wright to defend Anthony.

It must be said that Denver point guard Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets' calming influence, did not play with a groin injury, but the Mavs have now made too many top scorers (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony, etc.) work too hard for it to be just a fad.