Dallas Mavericks: 3 takeaways from the win over the Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks returned home and picked up a crucial win over the Denver Nuggets on March 11. Here are three takeaways from that game.

The Dallas Mavericks were looking to get back in the win column on Wednesday night. It was the second of a back-to-back set for the Mavs. They lost to the Spurs in San Antonio on Tuesday. That was the team’s second straight loss.

The Mavericks have been dealing with the injury bug lately too. They had three normal starters on the sidelines against the Nuggets. Kristaps Porzingis was out as he continues to manage his knee injury. It was the fifth consecutive second of a back-to-back missed by The Unicorn. Seth Curry (ankle) and Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) also did not play for Dallas.

That goes without mentioning the absences of Jalen Brunson and Dwight Powell.

Wednesday’s contest was a seesaw affair, but the Mavericks stepped up and took control in the fourth quarter. They held the Nuggets to just 12 points in the final period to pick up the 113-97 victory. The win plus the announcement that the NBA was suspending the season after the March 11 games had the American Airlines Center buzzing.

Boban Marjanovic drew the start in place of Porzingis and was the player of the game for Dallas. He finished with 31 points and 17 rebounds. Luka Doncic chipped in 28 points as he led the Mavericks to an important victory.

Here are three takeaways for fans from the Dallas Mavericks home win over the Denver Nuggets on March 11.

Next: No. 3

3. Nothing can slow down Luka

Luka Doncic has dealt with injuries in recent games. He missed seven games at the start of February with an ankle sprain. Doncic has also been playing through thumb and wrist sprains. Fans can see the tape on a nightly basis. None of it seems to matter, though. Luka continues to play and produce monster numbers.

Supporters can see it here. Doncic throws down a monster dunk and immediately grabs his right wrist. He is clearly in pain, but it does not stop him.

Luka finished with 28 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 40 minutes of action against the Nuggets. He hit ten of his 22 field goal attempts and made plenty of plays for his teammates. That was one night after dropping 38 points in San Antonio. Here is his highlight reel from Wednesday’s win.

The 21-year-old has taken the leap into superstar status. No team or injury can slow him down. Doncic has scored over 20 points in 19 straight games. He has made the jump from Rookie of the Year to MVP candidate in his second NBA season. It is going to be a fun next decade-plus in Dallas watching Luka ball out.

Next: No. 2

2. Mavs can win any game

The Dallas Mavericks had lost two straight games coming in. They were facing the current third seed in the Western Conference on the second night of a back-to-back. The Mavs were without three starters and two additional rotation players. The deck seemed stacked against them.

The Mavericks then trailed by one to start the fourth quarter. This is a team that struggled in clutch situations all season. That makes no mention of the likely tired legs from playing two consecutive nights.

The Mavs can win any game, though. They have now won two of three against the Nuggets this season. Dallas also has victories over the Lakers, Rockets, Bucks, Sixers, Thunder, and others. There is no game that feels like a guaranteed loss going in.

Luka Doncic plays a massive factor in those feelings. The 21-year-old keeps the Mavericks in every game with his elite playmaking. Dallas is also one of the deepest teams in the NBA. They defeated the Nuggets without five players in their nightly rotation. It speaks to their depth and ability to play the matchups at less than full strength.

The Mavericks should only improve over the next few seasons. That is a welcomed sign after missing the playoffs for three straight years.

Next: No. 1

1. Boban can be a difference-maker

Boban Marjanovic was in the starting five for just the second time this season against the Nuggets on Wednesday. Coach Rick Carlisle did not play the 7’4 center in the other two meetings versus Denver despite his strong historic numbers against Nikola Jokic.

The Mavs needed someone to step up with Kristaps Porzingis out, though. So Boban entered the starting five and delivered a massive performance. He produced 31 points, 17 rebounds, and two steals in 31 minutes of action. The points and rebounds were both new career-highs for Marjanovic. Here is a look at his best plays from March 11.

Bobi made a massive impact on the defensive end too. Jokic produced 14 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, but had five turnovers. Marjanovic made him work on the defensive end and repeatedly scored on Jokic down low. Boban could be a difference-maker if the two teams matchup in the playoffs.

Supporters expected him to play a bit more when the Mavericks signed him in the offseason. That does not mean Marjanovic cannot have an impact on any game.

The 7’4 center is a problem in certain matchups. He proved it against the Nuggets on Wednesday. Bobi could play a key role in the postseason if the situation calls for it too.