Jamal Murray scored 32 of his season-high 45 points in the first half and led the Denver Nuggets to a 118-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

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.

The Mavericks will need to have a quick memory before playing the Pelicans on Wednesday night. before then, here are three takeaways from Tuesday's disappointment. READ MORE: Mavericks' Luka Doncic Now Ineligible For NBA Postseason Awards, Including MVP

The Denver Nuggets head back to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in the second of a two game set. The Nuggets are 23-15, which puts them in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Mavs are 22-17, which puts them directly behind Denver in fifth place.

Dereck Lively II exited Tuesday’s Denver Nuggets-Dallas Mavericks game with a right ankle sprain. The Mavs announced before the second quarter that Lively will not return to the game. Lively has played a pivotal role in the Mavs’ recent success,