Nuggets Vs. Mavericks: J.R. Smith Leads Balanced Denver Attack Over Dallas, 104-96

The surprising Denver Nuggets have a 53-43 halftime advantage over the Mavericks in Dallas behind the strong play of Wilson Chandler and Nene Hilario. Chandler leads a balanced Denver attack with 11 points but five other players have scored at least six. Nene recorded eight points and eight rebounds in the first half.

The Mavericks struggled with 10 turnovers in the first half. Shawn Marion leads Dallas with 11 points and six rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki has six points but only has six shot attempts from the field. Corey Brewer came off the bench to score nine for the Mavs.

Think about it from Denver’s angle now. If they beat Dallas here and get some help from one of the Mavericks’ remaining opponents, the Nuggets can avoid a Thunder team that kicked them in the teeth pretty brutally on Tuesday and instead draw this very Mavs squad. There’s real incentive to win here and hope for a first-round series against Dallas, even if Denver doesn’t really have anything personal to play for.

For Mavericks analysis and chatter, check out Mavs Moneyball. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs.