The Dallas Mavericks lost 120 – 122 to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night in Denver. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 43 points, and Nikola Jokic had 37 for Denver. This loss makes the Mavericks 5 – 5 on the season, not the start they hoped for.
Dallas started slow, trailing 11 – 3 early. But buckets from Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford steadied them. Despite the Nuggets’ offense, Dallas stayed in touch and ended the first quarter down 35 – 29. In the second quarter, the Mavericks had a flurry of points and briefly led. Luka Doncic was in control with great passes, and Gafford dominated inside. However, Denver fought back. The lead changed hands, and with Irving’s shooting and Gafford’s scoring, Dallas led 63 – 60 at halftime. Defense was lacking in the third quarter as both teams scored freely. Irving was brilliant, but when he was subbed out, the Maverick offense struggled, and Denver built a lead. Dallas rallied, and a Thompson three made it 97 – 94 going into the fourth.
In the fourth, Irving hit back – to – back threes for a 102 – 100 lead. The teams traded baskets, but the Mavericks’ bench guards struggled. Denver took a lead with a Jokic three. Dallas regained the lead with their stars, but Doncic took a bad three up two with under a minute left. Denver went ahead, and Irving missed the buzzer – beater.
Kyrie Irving was amazing. He shot 17 – of – 22 from the floor and 6 – of – 8 from three for 43 points. The difficulty of his shots was high. It was great to watch him against Denver’s defense, even if they lost.
The bench guard situation is strange. Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy combined for 7 points on 3 – of – 13 shooting. Quentin Grimes was a DNP – Coaches Decision. In a game needing bench backcourt production, it’s odd they didn’t use Grimes.
Luka Doncic needs to improve. Despite his 24 – 9 – 9 line while dealing with a groin injury, his late – game decision – making has been poor. His shot selection this year is bad. He’s not getting to the rim or the free – throw line often, and he’s not shooting well. He has to be better as his immaturity shows when he’s not at his best. He wasn’t the only reason for the loss, but he hasn’t been good enough this season.
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