Final: Nuggets 91, Mavs 89

Box Score | Highlights

Behind the Box Score

The Mavericks used a big third quarter, winning the frame 32-16, to erase a big Nuggets lead and turn it into a 74-66 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Dallas scored 1.333 points per possession in the quarter, using some hot 3-point shooting and four offensive rebounds to pile up points quickly despite shooting just 46.2 percent from the floor.

Notebook

  • There have been rumors that Dennis Smith Jr. can’t finish with his left hand, but the rookie point guard did his best to prove that they’re only rumors with his play tonight. Twice in the third quarter he finished lefty.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dsj-lefty.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dsj-lefty-2.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    Smith has also become a better player in transition, which has certainly been a well-chronicled development in this article series. This play was particularly nice.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dsj-transition-leap.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    There’s no question Smith is explosive, but now he’s becoming better at timing his leaps. He also used his body as a shield a couple different times to create separation or fend off a potential shot-blocker. Those traits in combination are very, very dangerous.

  • Kyle Collinsworth had an awesome game off the bench tonight, and he’s now building a stronger case to stick around after his second 10-day contract expires. With no J.J. Barea or Devin Harris, there was much more of a playmaking burden on Collinsworth’s shoulders and he responded positively. He recorded seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 14 minutes, finishing a team-best +16.

    What’s Next

    The Mavs (16-34) will play the Miami Heat (27-21) on Monday at American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m. Central.

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