4 Teams the Dallas Mavericks could destroy in first round of the playoffs

3. Denver Nuggets

Another team Dallas would match up well against in the playoffs is the Denver Nuggets. The No. 3 seed might look like a scary matchup on paper, but the Mavs match up well. Denver leads the Mavs as they won two of the three regular-season matchups.

However, in the playoffs, this won't matter. The Mavs lost both games due to their inconsistent lineup. Dallas lost the first matchup because of Denver's ability to win the battle down low. Dereck Lively II had no help inside, as he struggled to contain MVP Nikola Jokic.

In game two, Dallas was without Kyrie Irving and Dwight Powell was the starting center. Game three demonstrated who the Mavs are. They lost the shooting battle but won with their new and improved defense. Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington did their part as they combined for 17 rebounds and two blocks.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving also performed at a high level. The Dallas duo had 61 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. It was Irving who stole the show as he hit the game-winner.

The Mavs led most of the second half. They had a nine-point lead with four minutes in the fourth quarter. Dallas can hold their own against a balanced team like Denver.

The odds could sway in the Mavs' favor if the two teams meet in the playoffs. Lively II and Gafford have demonstrated how much of a headache they would cause Jokic. Plus, with Irving and Doncic at full strength; Dallas could pull an upset.