Dallas MavericksOpen full analysis
Denver NuggetsOpen full analysis
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Denver Nuggets 131–121 on December 1 at Ball Arena, with the visiting team's balanced offensive attack proving decisive in a game that fell short of the Vegas total of 235.5 points. A.J. Davis led Dallas with 32 points while R. Nembhard added 28, anchoring a Mavericks offense that shot 55.8 percent from the field and connected on 16 three-pointers. Denver countered with Nikola Jokić's 29 points and S. Jones's 28, but the Nuggets' 47.5 field-goal percentage and 12 made threes couldn't overcome Dallas's efficiency advantage. The second quarter proved pivotal—the Mavericks outscored Denver 42–27 in that frame, building a lead they maintained despite the Nuggets' strong opening quarter of 41 points. Dallas's 128.2 offensive rating versus Denver's 118.7 reflected the game's decisive difference, while the Mavericks' superior three-point shooting (16 vs. 12) and 55.8 percent field-goal accuracy controlled the tempo. Both teams committed similar turnovers (Dallas 8, Denver 7), but Dallas's defensive rating of 118.7 proved more effective than Denver's 128.2. The loss signals potential concerns for Denver's consistency on the road.
