Mavericks spoil Nikola Jokic’s massive triple-double in style

What if the Mavericks had finally started their season… Having already beaten the Clippers, Jason Kidd’s players posted their best win of the season with a 131-121 victory in Denver against Nikola Jokić great nights: 29 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists! But rookies from Dallas and Anthony Davis also pulled out all the stops.

However, after twelve minutes, the Mavericks were not given many chances, and they trailed 41-27 at the end of the first quarter. Jokic is on pace for the fastest triple-double in history with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and next to him is Spencer Jones, alternating between 3-point baskets and alley-oops.

And then, Anthony Davis finally decides to play at his true level. Well served by Ryan Nembhardt, the former Laker takes the match into his own hands. This is the Davis the Mavericks have been dreaming about for 10 months and he is the one who brings Dallas back from within 10 points (60-51). On his side, Nembhardt is gaining confidence and acting like Jamal Murray. The Nuggets are overwhelmed, and as Cooper Flagg also gets involved, the Mavericks go on a 9-0 run to take the lead (65-63). Jokić was taken aback, and at the break Dallas leads 69-68.

Nembhard-Flagg, determined beginners

After the break, Davis sets the tone by covering Cam Johnson, with both teams looking for a knockout. Jokić delights with a three-pointer with his feet in cement, and Davis responds to him from mid-range. Bad news for the Nuggets: Jamal Murray is limping, and he’s being traded. Nembhard does not hesitate to use it and it is unsustainable. He also has an eye to find Flagg for a three-pointer (93-91). In contrast, Jokic is alone, but dominates on both sides of the court, and the Nuggets regained control: 104-102.

Jones follows him early in the 4th quarter, but Davis also has a big night. The Nuggets confront him, then shoot. D’Angelo Russell kicked them out with a 3-pointer (115-112), immediately imitated by Klay Thompson. Denver’s offense is frozen, and Dallas’ starters are relaxing! The Flagg-Nembhard duo went on a decisive 11-0 run to push the Nuggets to -12 (129-117) with less than two minutes left. Mass is called and Denver suffers its 4th loss at home!

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Nembhard revelation. In the “two-way contract”, Ryan Nembhardt is not shy, and the former best passer of the NCAA gives a full game with 28 points and 10 assists. While waiting for Kyrie Irving, the rookie will do the job perfectly, and Jason Kidd even lined him up with D’Angelo Russell, and their complementarity was interesting.

Davis finally dominates. This is the Anthony Davis that Nico Harrison wanted to see every night… A makeshift center, Davis has been dominant on both ends of the court, and is never better than when he adjusts to mid-range shooting from 5-6 yards.

Friable Rockies. It was hard to win in Denver for a long time, because of the height and obviously the level of the Nuggets. But Jokic’s partners remain on four consecutive defeats at home. Aaron Gordon’s absence doesn’t explain everything since those same Nuggets are undefeated away from home for seven games…

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.