Nuggets at Mavericks


7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center

TV: FOX Sports Net

Radio: KESN/103.3 FM; KESS/1270 AM (Spanish)

Nuggets, 1-3; Mavericks, 4-1
UPDATE

n The series: The Nuggets lead the all-time series, 54-53, but the Mavericks have a 35-18 advantage in Dallas.


About the Nuggets: Antonio McDyess is the backbone of the team. But the All-Star forward is out for approximately three months after undergoing surgery on both knees. ... Point guard Nick Van Exel has shouldered most of the offensive load. ... Center Raef LaFrentz is at odds with management because they failed to extend his contract before the season started. ... Guard Isaiah Rider, playing for his fifth team in his nine-year career, played last season for the world-champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Why to watch: Van Exel is second in the NBA in scoring, with 34.3 points per game. LaFrentz was picked third in the 1998 NBA Draft, ahead of such luminaries as Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki, and has been a solid contributor for the Nuggets.