NBA: Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Denver Nuggets host, the Dallas Mavericks, are contenders for a deep run in the playoffs, and also have two contenders for the NBA MVP title – Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. Jokic is, of course, the reigning MVP, two times in a row, while Doncic leads the way with Jayson Tatum in this year’s race. This is the third time since the start of the year to see these two units clashing, and we expect one more big-time spectacle.

Preview

Dallas Mavericks (12-11, +165) blew out the Phoenix Suns last night at the American Airlines Center, 130-111, and it really seems that the team from Texas knows some kind of a secret formula for beating the Suns. Luka did his thing once again, dropping 33 points, 12-for-20 from the field, with eight assists and six boards.

He had a huge help from other players, with four more guys jumping in and helping the Slovenian guy. Spencer Dinwiddie is playing better and better over the past few weeks, and last night’s 21 points and five threes are proof of that.

Christian Wood had 18 buckets and nine boards, Tim Hardaway scored five threes, and 17 points, while Josh Green scored 16 points off the bench, for +/- of 26, the highest among all the Mavs’ players. One other thing was that the Mavs shot 52.4% for the field and made 20 threes.

Denver Nuggets (14-9, -195) lost back-to-back games on the road, in Atlanta, 117-109 and New Orleans, 121-106. We need to say that the Nuggets looked a little bit flat in these two events, without fire or desire to compete in the decisive moments.

Jokic was the only one who wanted to battle, and his 32 points were the most, but we need to add that he didn’t score in the last few minutes of the game. The game was on the line in the final quarter, and overall, the Pels won the game by outscoring the Nuggets 34-25 in the final 12 minutes. The Joker had 16 boards and nine assists as well.

Aaron Gordon scored 19, Jamal Murray 18, and Bruce Brown 13. We need to say that the Nuggets’ backcourt looked terrible on the defensive side of the ball, allowing the Pels to score from various positions.

Head to Head Games

As said, the Mavs and the Nuggets met twice this year. The first game was on November 18, and the Mavs used the home-court advantage to beat the rivals 127-99. The second was also at the American Airlines Arena, two days later, and this time, the Nuggets beat the Mavs, 98-97.

Prediction

Denver had time to rest and prepare well for the Mavs, who had a tough game last night and immediately traveled to Colorado after that. These two teams are winning most of their games at home, which is the top reason we bet on the Nuggets, along with the fact that they had more time to rest. The odds on Denver are at -195, which is fine. Those who are more courageous may try the Nuggets covering a five-point spread, yet we are going with the safer option.

Pick: Denver wins -195