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DALLAS (AP) _ Cedric Ceballos scored 25 of his 31 points in the first half as Dallas beat Denver 107-96 on Saturday night, extending the Mavericks' winning streak to four games.

Ceballos was 11-for-19 from the field, hit all six free throws and added 10 rebounds as the Mavericks put together their first four-game winning streak since 1994-95.

Erick Strickland added 15 points and Steve Nash had 12 for the Mavericks, who have won seven of their last nine for their most successful stretch since taking nine of 10 in 1994-95.

Nuggets forward Antonio McDyess went scoreless for the first time in his career, playing a career-low seven minutes due to tendinitis in his right knee. McDyess had gone 90 consecutive games scoring in double figures, the second-longest streak in the league.

Dallas finished with an 8-5 record for January. The Mavericks' last winning January was 9-7 in 1990.

Bryant Stith had a season-high 27 points for the Nuggets, who have lost seven of their last nine. James Posey added 15 points.

The Nuggets made a late run, closing within 100-94 with 49.4 seconds to play on Popeye Jones' 3-pointer.

But the Mavericks made seven of eight free throws in the final minute to close out the Nuggets.

Dallas charged to a 28-10 lead after the first quarter in Denver's lowest scoring quarter of the season.

The Mavericks padded their advantage to as much as 47-21 with 4:30 left until the intermission. At that point, Ceballos had outscored the entire Denver team, 23-21.

Dallas went on to a 58-37 halftime lead after Denver missed 14 of its first 17 field goal attempts.

The Nuggets reduced the deficit to 69-56 with 5:36 left in the third period on consecutive jumpers by Nick Van Exel.

But the Mavericks finished the quarter with a 18-5 spurt led by Michael Finley's seven points to take an 87-61 lead into the final quarter.

Notes: Mavericks owner-to-be Mark Cuban is optimistic Dennis Rodman will sign with his hometown team Monday. Rodman delayed signing until after the Super Bowl. ... Former Mavericks guard Derek Harper will announce his retirement Monday and take a front office position with the team. ... Denver's 37 points tied for the fewest allowed by Dallas in the first half this season.