Luka Doncic is doubtful to play, and the Mavs have a difficult game against the defending NBA champion and rising star Nuggets.
Dallas — The stakes are extremely high as the Dallas Mavericks get ready for a crucial game against the Denver Nuggets this Sunday. In order to avoid the play-in tournament, the Mavs are motivated to recover from their four-game winning streak that was snapped by a 126-119 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They are now ranked eighth in the Western Conference.
The Mavs, who have a 38-29 record, take on the Denver Nuggets, a tough foe. Since the All-Star break, Nikola Jokic’s team has been playing exceptionally well. They have an 11-1 record and are tied with the Thunder for the best record in the Western Conference with a 47-20 record. This game is more than just a regular matchup; it’s an opportunity for Dallas to show off against the finest in the league.
“Grateful ballclub. Regarding the Nuggets, that’s all that has to be said, Mavericks winger Tim Hardaway Jr. stated. They have no self-interest. They behave appropriately when playing. They stand up for. All that matters is winning.”
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There is a hard challenge ahead. The Mavs have struggled against the Nuggets in their last three meetings; the most recent one, on December 18, resulted in a 130-104 loss. Jamal Murray scored 22 points in that game, and in the fourth quarter, Denver’s players were given time off. In their five prior encounters against Jokic’s team, Dallas has a 1-4 record.
However, the Mavs still have their advantages and strategies. The resilience of the team will be tested, especially when it comes to Josh Green, Dante Exum, and Luka Doncic’s health. On Thursday, Doncic was unable to play due to a strained left hamstring. In the event that his MRI is clear, he might play versus Denver. However, he is listed as questionable on the injury report. Green has already been ruled out due to a right ankle strain, and Exum is questionable because of a right plantar fascia sprain.
The Mavs’ performances—particularly Kyrie Irving’s, who had a season-high 12 assists in addition to 36 points in the loss to Oklahoma City—showcase their tenacity. However, Dallas has had trouble with turnovers; they scored 19 points in their most recent defeat.
“I felt we managed the atmosphere well.” It’s a great environment here. just the mistakes made with the ball in play, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Luka was out of the game, which provided us a chance. Everyone in the changing room should be proud of who they are. We just didn’t live up to our expectations.
The Nuggets continued their strong campaign, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 117-106, led by great games from Dwyane Murray and Nikola Jokic. This win highlights the team’s excellent play since the break.
“We’ve been on a roll,” Nuggets forward Christian Braun said. Our second unit has been playing really well and performing really well most of the time since the All-Star break. That is what must be carried out. We would like to give Murray and Jokic some time off.”
With an average of 26.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 9.1 assists this season, Jokic has had an amazing campaign. The reigning champion Nuggets are focused on setting a new record this season by securing the first seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Michael Malone, the coach of the Nuggets, declared, “We’re going to take it if we can get (the No. 1 seed).” “We won’t hold off on discussing that. We certainly benefited from having home court for the entire postseason the year before.”
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