Mavericks Test Their Grit as Nuggets Look to Defend Home Court
So here’s what’s going on tonight in Denver, and it’s shaping up to be one of those games where both teams have something to prove. The Nuggets are back home at Ball Arena, trying to shake off a surprising three-game skid on their own floor. Even with that rough patch, they’re still sitting at an impressive 14-5, powered as usual by Nikola Jokić’s ridiculous all-around production. He’s basically averaging a triple-double—nearly 29 points, over 12 rebounds, almost 11 assists—and he’s doing it in that calm, effortless way only he can pull off.
But Denver isn’t fully loaded. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun remain out, which means some of their best defensive versatility just isn’t available. Because of that, players like Peyton Watson have been forced into bigger roles, and to his credit, he’s been responding by bringing high energy and a ton of length to those wing minutes.
Also Read:- Patriots Spotlight Monday Night Chaos with Big Plays and Bold Bets
- Sydney Sweeney’s Wild Friendsgiving Sparks Buzz Online
On the other side, the Dallas Mavericks arrive in Denver feeling a little more alive after finally grabbing a win in Los Angeles. Their 114-110 victory over the Clippers snapped a four-game slide, and it happened because Cooper Flagg simply decided he wasn’t leaving the court without making history. At just 18, he dropped 35 points—the youngest player ever to do it in the NBA—and he made it look like the moment wasn’t too big for him at all. Klay Thompson backed him up with 23, most of it coming in the second half, fueling a comeback that showed real resilience.
The tricky part for Dallas is that they are still heavily shorthanded. Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving, and Dante Exum are out. Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington are banged up and questionable, and even Anthony Davis, who recently returned from a calf issue, is only listed as probable. So yes, the roster is thin, but what they’ve shown—especially in that win over LA—is that they aren’t folding. They’re competing, even with half their rotation missing.
Matchup-wise, this one could get fast and high-scoring. Denver games have been trending that way lately, especially with their defense slipping and their offense still humming. Dallas, meanwhile, just put up 114 despite shooting under 30% from three, which tells you they can keep the scoreboard moving even when spacing isn’t perfect.
And that’s what makes this game fun: the Nuggets are the clear favorite on paper, but Dallas is playing with house money and a little extra fire. Flagg’s usage is rising, Klay is finding rhythm, and the absence of Denver’s wing defenders might open a few more clean looks than usual.
No matter how it plays out, this matchup has real storytelling energy—one team trying to protect its home floor, the other trying to rediscover its identity through grit and opportunity. It should be a good one.
Read More:
0 Comments