Mavericks vs. Nuggets Prediction and Odds for November 22: Jokic, Doncic BOTH Out?

The Dallas Mavericks (8-7) and Denver Nuggets (8-5) will clash in the NBA In-Season Tournament at Mile-High on Friday. 

The narrative surrounding both teams is that they are not as good as they were in recent years. While that might be somewhat supported by their records, it’s overblown and discredits the positive signs that both have shown. 

Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are known to be great friends off the court, but they’re both at risk of missing the next stage of the IST if their team loses.

Here, we will share our best Mavericks vs. Nuggets betting picks for Friday.

Mavericks vs. Nuggets Betting Odds for Friday, November 22

The Mavericks are 7-7-1 (50 percent) against the spread, 2-1-1 (66.7 percent) ATS on the road, and 2-3-1 (40 percent) ATS on the road.

The Nuggets are 5-7-1 (41.7 percent) ATS, just 2-6-1 (25 percent) ATS as the favorite, and 3-3-1 (50 percent) ATS at home.

The following odds for the Mavericks vs Nuggets game are courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Place your bets at BetMGM and claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets* with our promo code WSNSPORTS.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

Mavericks vs. Nuggets Prediction

Dallas Mavericks Preview

Looking at some of the headlines, it’d be easy to believe that the Mavericks are headed nowhere fast and are still basking in the glory of their Western Conference championship from a year ago.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. While Dallas is only one game above .500 and 1-1 in IST play, they have impressed on both sides of the court and are building the foundation for how they want to play with this iteration of their roster.

The Mavs rank sixth in defensive and seventh in offensive rating thus far. That resulted in them outscoring their opponents by an average of 6.3 points per 100 possessions, the sixth-best mark in the league. 

Dallas is also riding a three-game win streak and already beat top teams such as the OKC Thunder, the Orlando Magic, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The blend of individual scoring and playmaking form Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the rim-running of their center rotation, and the newfound movement shooting of Klay Thompson has this offense functioning like one of the most lethal units in the league, no matter if they’re stuck in the halfcourt or running in transition. 

One of the main reasons that the Mavericks are underdogs on Friday is that Luka Doncic is out with a wrist injury. They won their only game without him this season against the Thunder 121-119 as Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington combined for 50 points.

However, the Mavs already lost to Denver 120-122 12 days ago. Irving went off for 43 points in the loss, while Jokic dropped a 37-point, 18-rebound, 15-assist triple-double.

Denver Nuggets Preview

Like the Mavs, it would appear extremely as if the Nuggets are in crisis mode. They’re dealing with a variety of injuries, don’t have an extremely deep roster, and often look bogged down in the halfcourt.

All that said, Denver is still 8-5 and only 2.5 games out of first place in the West. They’re 12th in offensive and 14th in defensive rating and won eight of their last 11 games, including their most recent one on Tuesday.

It’s hard to believe given all that he’s accomplished, but this is the best basketball that Jokic has played in his entire career. His sharp processing appears to be a sliver quicker than it was before, and he’s been consistently more aggressive than ever before.

The masterful performance against the Mavericks 12 days ago was unfortunately the last time that Jokic suited up as personal issues have held him out of action. He is considered a game-time decision for Friday.

Notably, he did not practice on Thursday, and coach Mike Malone said that he was unsure if he’d be ready for Friday.

It goes without saying, but losing Jokic not only strips the Nuggets of their best player, but  it also forces them to abandon their preferred system of play and put the ball in the hands of players who aren’t used to high usage rates.

Denver is only 1-2 since Jokic left the lineup, having lost to the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans and taken down the Grizzlies in their most recent outing.

Use WSNSPORTS at BetMGM for $1,500 Bonus

Mavericks vs. Nuggets Betting Pick

• Mavericks vs. Nuggets pick: Mavericks +2.5 (-105) at BetMGM

There’s a case that the Mavericks have been the better team thus far anyway, and if Jokic continues to miss game time, it’s hard to justify them being the favorites even without Doncic in the lineup.

Jamal Murray was great in his last game but is having a down year overall, scoring 18.3 points per game on 41.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from three. Irving has the ability to outduel him as an individual, and Dallas’ rotation is ahead of where an injury-depleted Nuggets team is.

Because of Jokic’s unlikely availability, we’d take the points with the underdogs. 

Claim $1,500 Bonus Offer at BetMGM

How to Watch Mavericks vs. Nuggets on 11/22/24

• When: Friday, Nov. 22 at 8:00/10:00 p.m. MT/ET

• Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

• TV: ESPN

More NBA Bets and Picks Today

Warriors vs. Pelicans Same Game Parlay

NBA Player Props and Best Bets for November 22