DENVER, COLORADO — The Dallas Mavericks bounced back on the road defeating the Nuggets 116-103 after losing on Thursday to the Oklahoma City Thunder. So far what we know about the Mavericks is how deep they can and how fatal they are as a team when more players get involved and their marquee players step up in big moments. A balanced attack that features shot creation by Luka and Kristaps all around ability to score the basketball when in tune, never disappoints.
To start the first quarter the Nuggets played with a lighting like pace making things complicated for the Mavericks on the defensive end building a double digit lead to start the game. The Mavericks responded by scoring 8 straight points to get back in it to make things more competitive. Kristaps Porzinigs led the Mavericks in scoring with 8 points including two three pointers, Luka Doncic scored 5 points knocking down 50% of his first quarter shots including one shot from beyond the three point line and Dorian Finney-Smith did the same only going for 100% from the field.
The Mavericks had an efficient quarter from the field shooting 50% knocking down 9 out of 18 shot attempts. After their fast start the Nuggets only converted on 46% of their shots from the field after the Mavericks put the cap on their offensive attack. Dallas managed to apply enough pressure on the Nuggets and came within 1 point of the lead going as time expired in the first quarter. The Mavericks energy on both ends of the floor experienced an uptick and the Mavericks wouldn’t let up.
Dallas kept that same energy going into the second quarter scoring 8 straight points to build a nice 8 point gap between them and the Nuggets. The Mavericks also had an impressive quarter from three knocking 4 out of 9 three point attempts. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis continued their impressive night on the offensive end combining to score 28 points on 67% of their shot attempts which helped the Mavericks build and sustain a double digit lead for most of the second quarter, and outperformed the Nuggets not only on the scoreboard but on the backboard as well. Dallas finished the first half leading the Nuggets 62-51 on the road.
What the Mavericks cultivated in the first half bled through into the beginning of the second half and the top players on the Mavericks roster were called upon and they answered. Dallas had 4 players scoring tallies in the double figures. Collectively, Josh Richardson, Kristaps Porzingis, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Maxi Kleber converted on 59% of their shots. Richardson, who got hot from the field in the third quarter, only converted one of his shot attempts in the first half, but hit 75% of his shots in the third quarter.
Dallas concluded the third quarter with a comfortable double digit 93-73 lead and all of the momentum despite the chirpiness between players and officials.
Josh Richardson’s hot hand played a part in the Mavericks maintaining their lead and not allowing the Nuggets to climb back in. Richardson scored 4 of the Mavericks first 6 points to start the quarter while the team collectively converted on 4 out of 9 of their shots to begin the fourth quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter the Nuggets began to take small chips out of the lead and then changed what was a 20 point lead at the beginning of the half to a 12 point lead with just under 5 minutes remaining on the clock. The Mavericks defense held steady for the final minutes of the game and didn’t allow the Nuggets any extra opportunities to climb back in and make a late game comeback attempt.
The Mavericks have won their last 4 out of 5 games and grabbed a win tonight against one of the better teams in the West. Dallas will continue their road stretch heading to LA to play the Clippers twice and then head Portland to play the Trailblazer. Dallas is in the thick of their tough schedule and grabbing a convincing win against one of the higher seeded teams presently can do a lot for a team’s confidence.
