Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets

Where: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

When: Thursday, March 14th at 10:30 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): TNT | KKSE-FM 92.5/KKSE 950

Dallas Mavericks (Away)

Head Coach: Rick Carlisle {All-Time 745-618 | DET, IND, DAL}

The Dallas Mavericks own the Western Conference’s fourteenth worst record and lead only the Phoenix Suns in the West. With a record of 27-40, they have a slim chance of making the playoffs and are more than likely lottery-bound at the end of the season.

The Dallas Mavericks made moves at the deadline that boosted their future but stifled their present. Over their last ten matches, the Dallas Mavericks have posted a record of 1-9, losing decidedly to the Spurs, Wizards, Nets, and Grizzlies in that time.

The Mavericks won’t receive a break when they take on the Western Conference’s second seed, the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks will have slightly more security now that Maxi Kleber, one of their best defensive pieces, is back in the fold. However, it is very likely the greater talent of the Denver Nuggets will overwhelm the young Mavericks.

Denver Nuggets (Home)

Head Coach: Michael Malone {All-Time 202-216 | SAC, DEN}

The Denver Nuggets have been surging as of late, maintaining the second seed in the Western Conference but sitting only a game back of the top-ranked Golden State Warriors. With a record of 44-22, the Nuggets also maintain a comfortable 2.5 game lead over the Houston Rockets.

The Nuggets have been doing their utmost to regain pole position in the Western Conference. Combined with a 4-6 run from the Warriors, the Nuggets’ own 6-4 run over their last ten games has carried them forward. A recent loss to the Warriors hurt their chances, but a favorable homestand before an Eastern Conference road trip may be just what Denver needs to retake first.

It will start with a match against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are a drive-and-kick oriented team with a rather slow overall pace. While they may focus on Doncic’s creation too much, the Nuggets will still have to lock down the Mavs’ squad of confident shooters.

What’s At Stake?

The Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets maintain a rather competitive all-time series. In 172 games, the Dallas Mavericks lead the Denver Nuggets 88-84.

A win for the Dallas Mavericks would bring them level with the Memphis Grizzlies who are 0.5 games ahead of them in the table.

A win for the Denver Nuggets would bring them within a half-game of the Golden State Warriors and first in the Western Conference.

Questions to answer

Do the Mavericks have a gem in Jalen Brunson?

Have the Nuggets rediscovered their style?

We are going to compare the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Jalen Brunson Was Brilliant Against the Spurs

Say what you will about the result of the game, anytime a player can drop thirty points against the vaunted San Antonio Spurs defense it deserves praise. Jalen Brunson looked to be a spark plug of a point guard with a limited upside due to his size and shooting ability. Brunson just lifted that ceiling in his last match.

There’s getting hot then there is going 12-16 from there field with three three-pointers. Where Doncic struggled, Brunson was able to command his side and convert on opportunities. Since the all-star break, he has played great, averaging 14 points per game on 49%-35%-89% shooting splits.

There are rumors that the Mavericks are looking to upgrade their point guard position for next season, but Brunson certainly has something to say about that. While there is a criticism of small point guards in today’s NBA, look at the success of Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, and Fred Vanvleet to challenge that. He may not be the star of the future, but Brunson is certainly a piece to take note of.

The Nuggets Blew Out The Wolves

Playing the Denver Nuggets at home is a story told over and over again. It is a tough arena with incomparable altitude in the NBA. On this night the Denver Nuggets took advantage, pushing the pace and defeating the Wolves by 26 points.

Nikola Jokic said it best, they wanted to move the ball and get everyone involved. He had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists to go along with solid and consistent production from his teammates. The Nuggets had 35 assists on the night and are presenting a style of basketball that can cause problems for the slower pace of the NBA Playoffs.

They will look to put forward the same approach against the Dallas Mavericks. As talented as they are, the Mavericks aren’t as talented offensively or defensively as the Minnesota Timberwolves who they handled with ease. Every match from now on is just practice before the NBA Playoffs, acquiring the first seed in the Western Conference is just the cherry on top.

Dallas Mavericks Roster Notes

G JJ Barea – 14 Feb 2019 – Out For Season (Lower Leg) – Recovery from Achilles surgery will be anywhere from 6-9 months, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com

F-C Kristaps Porzingis – 4 Feb 2019 – Out For Season (Knee) – Porzingis confirmed in a news conference that he will not play in the 2018-19 season.

Denver Nuggets Roster Notes

F Torrey Craig – 13 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Arm) – Craig left Tuesday’s (Mar 12) game with an apparent arm injury.

F Trey Lyles – 12 Mar 2019 – Out (Left Hamstring Strain) – Lyles has been ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (Mar 12) game.

F Michael Porter – 13 Feb 2019 – Out (Back) – Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has not ruled out a return this year for Porter Jr., according to Harrison Wind of BSN Denver.

Head-to-Head: Luka Doncic (DAL) vs Will Barton (DEN)

Two players that experienced their own personal shooting woes as of late will face off when the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets meet. Luka Doncic struggled to score the ball against the San Antonio Spurs and Will Barton has failed to make an impact offensively as of late. Both will look to reenergize their teams in this matchup.

Luka Doncic

Shooting Guard | 6-7, 218lb (201cm, 98kg) | Real Madrid/Slovenia | Rookie

20.9 PPG | 5.6 APG | 7.4 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 3.4 TOV | .430 FG% | .343 3P%

Known for his knockdown shooting ability and tremendous playmaking, Luka Doncic is a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, teams have begun to take advantage of his lack of quickness and have challenged him heavily on the perimeter. He was 5-18 in his last game and was only 1-9 from the charity stripe. Poor shooting nights are common, but his inability from the line may be a sign of fatigue. He won’t get a break against the Denver Nuggets or the city’s altitude.

Will Barton

Shooting Guard | 6-6, 190lb (198cm, 86kg) | Memphis | Exp. 6 Years

12.1 PPG | 3.3 APG | 5.0 RPG | 0.4 SPG | 0.6 BPG | 1.6 TOV | .405 FG% | .355 3P%

Will Barton has proven himself to be a dangerous scoring threat in the NBA. Once thought to be an athletic role player, the expansion of his offensive and defensive game has made him a valuable asset. He has been inconsistent all season regarding his scoring, currently in a poor run of form shooting a combined 12-36 in his last three games. Against a slower paced Mavericks team, expect the Nuggets to push the tempo in order to create easy opportunities for Barton and others.

Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Denver Nuggets favored over the Dallas Mavericks by 11, with an over/under of 110.