The Denver Nuggets roll into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Dallas Mavericks riding a four-game winning streak, looking to solidify their standing in a brutal Western Conference playoff race. Nikola Jokic and company just dispatched the Brooklyn Nets 108-102 on Sunday, a game where Jokic dropped 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 29th triple-double of the season. That’s historic stuff, folks. This team isn't just winning; they're peaking at the right time, pulling away from the pack.
Dallas, on the other hand, is simply playing out the string. Their 23-49 record tells you all you need to know about a season that went sideways months ago. They lost to the Atlanta Hawks 132-109 on Saturday, a game where Luka Doncic still managed 30 points and 8 assists, but it was largely garbage time production. The Mavs have dropped seven of their last ten, and they’ve been particularly bad on the road, sporting a dismal 7-27 away record. This isn't just a bad team; it's a team that looks defeated.
Real talk: Jokic is making a serious case for his third straight MVP. He’s averaging 26.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.4 assists this season, numbers that almost defy belief for a center. He’s shooting 58% from the field and orchestrating one of the league’s most efficient offenses. Jamal Murray, after a slow start, has found his rhythm, scoring 25 or more points in three of the last four games, including a 32-point effort against the Pistons on March 18. When Murray is cooking, this Nuggets offense is virtually unstoppable.
The Mavericks’ defense is… well, it’s not good. They’re giving up 118.9 points per game, ranking 28th in the NBA. Their perimeter defense is particularly porous, which is a problem when you’re facing a Nuggets team that can shoot the lights out. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyrie Irving are dynamic offensive players, but neither is known for their lockdown defense. That’s going to be exploited by the Nuggets, especially with Jokic’s incredible passing vision. Look for him to pick apart the Mavs' interior and find cutters like Michael Porter Jr., who has been quietly efficient.
This game means everything for Denver and absolutely nothing for Dallas. The Nuggets are clinging to the fourth seed, just a half-game ahead of the Phoenix Suns (43-28) and one game up on the Golden State Warriors (42-29). Every win matters. A loss here would be a significant blow to their momentum and their playoff positioning. They need to keep winning to secure home-court advantage in the first round.
Here's the thing: I think the Mavericks are actively trying to lose. They’ve been resting key players, and their effort level has been questionable. It’s the smart play for a team that needs a high draft pick, but it makes for some ugly basketball. Luka Doncic might put up big numbers, but it often feels like he's playing on an island. There's no cohesion. This isn't the same Mavs team that went to the conference finals two years ago. Not even close.
I’m calling it now: The Denver Nuggets will win this game by at least 20 points, and Jokic will have another triple-double before the end of the third quarter.