This is a really bad sign

The Nuggets started out 2-for-16 from the field. And they are tied at 20 after the first quarter. The Mavericks didn't shoot a lot better, but they had four turnovers, which is not a good number for them. Another sign for concern: They had three assists in the first quarter, two by Erick Dampier. If Jason Kidd doesn't start imposing some will on this series, the Mavericks are in deep trouble. And Josh Howard's foul trouble doesn't help. The Mavericks were up by five when he picked up his second foul.

--Eddie Sefko