Game Preview
The Denver Nuggets (8-5) and Dallas Mavericks (8-7) collide on Friday night in a clash of Western Conference contenders. Both teams are riding a wave of momentum, with the Nuggets winning their last game and the Mavericks stringing together three straight victories.
Denver has been an offensive juggernaut this season, averaging a blistering 116.5 points per game. Their balanced attack has been fueled by sizzling shooting percentages, hovering around 47% from the field and a shade under 39% from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, the Nuggets have been stout, limiting opponents to just over 115 points per contest.
However, their recent form has dipped slightly, as they've surrendered 111.6 points per game over the last five while seeing their shooting percentages and rebounding numbers decline. Still, Denver's high-powered offense has remained potent, averaging nearly 120 points across their previous 10 games.
Dallas, meanwhile, has steadily improved after a sluggish start. The Mavericks have found their groove offensively, pouring in 118.6 points per game over their last five while shooting a scorching 49.9% from the field. Their three-point shooting has been solid at 34.9%, and they've done an excellent job of getting to the line, converting a robust 78.2% of their free throws.
Defensively, the Mavericks have tightened the screws, holding opponents to 107.6 points during their recent surge. They've also been active on the glass, grabbing nearly 45 rebounds per game, and have seen an uptick in blocked shots, swatting away 6 per contest over the last five.
With both teams firing on all cylinders offensively and showing signs of improvement on defense, this clash could come down to which squad can impose its style and control the tempo. Denver's ability to push the pace and overwhelm with scoring could clash with Dallas' newfound commitment to grinding out possessions and locking down defensively. Whichever team dictates the flow may emerge victorious in what promises to be a high-intensity Western Conference showdown.