Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic struggles as Nuggets force game 7 in sim

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic struggled in game six of the Strat-O-Matic simulation as the Nuggets picked up the road win to force game seven.

The Dallas Mavericks are not playing basketball right now. The novel coronavirus wiped out virtually all live sports. It could still be months before the NBA returns. They are formulating plans, but health and safety are the priority.

Strat-O-Matic is trying to determine how the season would have played out. They are running a simulation each day of the games that would have happened in a normal year. The Mavs finished seventh in Western Conference and are taking on the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

Denver won game one before the Mavericks snatched home court with a win in game two. The two teams split the next two games in Dallas. The Mavs won game five giving them a chance to close out the series on their home floor. It took place on Thursday. Let us look at the results.

Nuggets force game seven

The two teams went back and forth in the first half before the Nuggets scored 34 in the third quarter to open up a massive lead. They never looked back in picking up the 109-96 win in Dallas. Nikola Jokic led the way with 33 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and three steals in game six.

Luka Doncic struggled mightily for the Mavericks. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Luka could not get it going from the field. He hit just three of 14 including missing all four of his 2-point tries.

Kristaps Porzingis fouled out after 30 minutes of action. He produced 20 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.

The series shifts back to Denver to the definitive game seven on Saturday. Will the Mavericks advance to the second round for the first time since 2011? Check back to The Smoking Cuban to find out.