The highly anticipated showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks is set to unfold as the nightcap on ESPN, with the return of star center Nikola Jokic creating a buzz among fans and analysts alike.
After overcoming a challenging stretch that saw them lose four straight games, the Dallas Mavericks have bounced back remarkably, winning three consecutive contests against San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and New Orleans, showcasing their resilience and determination to improve their record. However, the Mavericks will be without their star player, Luka Doncic, for tonight’s crucial matchup, a significant blow considering he nearly recorded a triple-double in the previous encounter against the Nuggets, finishing with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. In Doncic’s absence, superstar Kyrie Irving will need to step up and take the lead as the primary scorer, with many sportsbooks recognizing him as the leading candidate to top the scoring charts for the game.
With excitement building, let’s delve deeper into the matchup and provide essential insights and predictions that could enhance your viewing experience and perhaps induce some nail-biting moments.
Our comprehensive preview is packed with all the essential information and insights you need to prepare for the game, including the latest news on how to catch the opening tip, projected lineups, recent team performance, individual player stats, and, of course, our expert predictions, picks, and best bets derived from our advanced modeling tools and dedicated analysts.
Details & how to watch Mavericks @ Nuggets
● Date: Friday, November 22, 2024
● Time: 10:00 PM ET
● Site: Spectrum Center
● City: Denver, CO
● TV/Streaming: ESPN
Stay engaged with every moment of the action and keep yourself updated with the latest team statistics and player news. Visit our day-by-day MLB schedule page and explore detailed matchup pages that get live updates in real-time during the game.
Game odds for Mavericks @ Nuggets
The latest odds as of Thursday afternoon:
● Moneyline: Denver Nuggets (-160), Dallas Mavericks (+135)
● Spread: Denver -4 (-110)
● Total: 225.5
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Probable starting lineups for Denver and Dallas
· Denver Nuggets (8-5)
PG Jamal Murray
SG Christian Braun
SF Michael Porter Jr.
PF Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokic — probable
· Dallas Mavericks (8-7)
PG Jaden Hardy — Luka Doncic is out
SG Kyrie Irving
SF Klay Thompson
PF P.J. Washington
C Dereck Lively
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Nuggets @ Mavericks
- Dallas is 7-7-1 ATS this season and 2-1-1 ATS as an underdog, showing their ability to compete even against the odds.
- Denver is 5-7-1 ATS this season and 2-6-1 ATS as a favorite, rating as one of the five worst in the league in terms of covering the spread.
- Dallas has gone 8-7 to the Under throughout the year, with a remarkable 4-0 record to the under as an underdog, establishing their defensive prowess, which ranks first in the NBA.
- Denver, on the other hand, ranks 3rd in the league with a 9-4 record to the Over, indicating their offensive capabilities.
- Denver is also 6-3 to the Over when favored, demonstrating their tendency to outscore opponents.
- Kyrie Irving saw his impressive five-game streak of scoring 20-plus points snapped last week, prompting questions about his consistency in light of Doncic’s absence.
- Klay Thompson contributed 19 points in his last game after totaling 14 in the previous pair of outings, indicating a potential resurgence.
- Jamal Murray has been consistently productive, averaging 18.0 points per game over the past six games.
Notable Player Props for Nuggets @ Mavericks
Highest Point Props
- Kyrie Irving O/U 26.5 Points
- Nikola Jokic O/U 26.5 Points
- Klay Thompson O/U 15.5 Points
Highest Rebound Props
- Nikola Jokic O/U 12.5 Rebounds
- Dereck Lively O/U 7.5 Rebounds
- P.J. Washington O/U 6.5 Rebounds
- Kyrie Irving O/U 4.5 Rebounds
Highest Assist Props
- Nikola Jokic O/U 10.5 Assists
- Kyrie Irving O/U 6.5 Assists
Expert picks & predictions for Nuggets @ Mavericks
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NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets to get the win, but the Under 225.5 to cash:
“When Nikola Jokic has played this season, Denver’s offensive net rating is an NBA record 125.8 compared to an NBA-worst 86.3, making him arguably one of the most important players of the past two decades.
Luka Doncic is out for Dallas, so Jokic and the Nuggets have an advantage in knocking off the surging Mavericks. Denver won the first meeting of the season 122-120 and without Doncic, I am not sure Dallas will have enough offensive firepower to beat Denver, while the Nuggets will need some time to get into a flow with Jokic back into the mix.
The Mavericks have held their last three opponents to strikingly low scores of 93, 119, and 91 points, while the Nuggets allowed 101, 105, and 110 points in that same span. I like the Under 225.5 as the best bet in this game.”
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for the Nuggets and the Mavericks:
· Moneyline: NBC Sports finds confidence in taking Denver on the ML (-165).
· Spread: NBC Sports has strong confidence in Denver -4 on the spread.
· Total: NBC Sports has low confidence towards a play on the Total UNDER 225.5 points.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the EXPERT NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and total picks for each game on today’s calendar!
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· Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
· Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
How will Luka Doncic’s absence impact the Mavericks’ chances against the Nuggets in tonight’s game?
**Interview with Sports Analyst, Jamie Carter, on Nuggets vs. Mavericks Showdown**
**Host:** Welcome, Jamie! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the much-anticipated matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks. With Luka Doncic out, how do you think this will affect the Mavericks’ strategy tonight?
**Jamie:** Thanks for having me! Luka’s absence is definitely a huge blow for the Mavericks, as he brings not just scoring but also playmaking and leadership. With him sidelined, Kyrie Irving will have to take charge of the offense. We should expect to see him stepping up significantly, not just in scoring but also in facilitating for his teammates.
**Host:** Absolutely. Kyrie’s prop for points is set at 26.5. Do you think he can hit that mark given the current circumstances?
**Jamie:** Given that Kyrie has already shown he can score at will, it’s certainly possible. However, he did have a five-game streak of scoring 20-plus points snapped last week, so there are questions about his recent consistency. If he can find his rhythm early, he could very well surpass that number.
**Host:** Shifting to the other side, how crucial is Nikola Jokic’s return to the Nuggets’ chances of winning?
**Jamie:** Jokic’s return is monumental for Denver. His impact on the game is astounding; when he’s playing, the Nuggets have an NBA record offensive rating. Coupled with his ability to rebound and distribute the ball—his assist prop is at 10.5—he’s a triple-threat that can dominate any matchup.
**Host:** Given the betting trends, it looks like the Nuggets struggle when favored, being 2-6-1 ATS this season. What do you make of that?
**Jamie:** That trend is very telling. The Nuggets have been inconsistent as favorites, which puts pressure on them to perform against the spread. They may have the tools to be explosive offensively, but they’ve had trouble closing out games, which could give the Mavericks a chance to compete, especially since they’ve been solid underdogs.
**Host:** Besides Kyrie, who else should we keep an eye on from the Mavericks tonight?
**Jamie:** Klay Thompson is someone I’d highlight. He’s shown flashes of his former self recently, scoring 19 points in his last game after struggling. His ability to hit the three-pointer will be critical, particularly in stretching the floor while creating space for Kyrie.
**Host:** Before we wrap up, what’s your prediction for the game?
**Jamie:** I see the Nuggets taking the win, but it may not be a smooth ride. I believe the Under 225.5 is a solid bet as well. Both teams have contrasting styles—Dallas excels defensively while Denver thrives with their offense. It may end up being closer than expected, but expect a gritty clash.
**Host:** Great insights, Jamie! Thank you for sharing. This should indeed be an exciting game to watch.
**Jamie:** Absolutely! Thanks for having me, and enjoy the game!
