The Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 118-109 tonight, winning comfortably in a game the Mavericks stuck around due to second half three-point shooting.
Luka Dončić was incredible, scoring 37 points and dishing 9 assists compared to two turnovers. Despite that, the Nuggets held their own, outshooting the Mavericks when it mattered and finishing at the basket with no regard for the Mavericks defense. The Nuggets generated 34 assists off of great ball movement, and it wasn’t even close to their peak form.
Michael Malone: "I love how we play. I'm a coach but also a fan of the game. 34 assists. The ball pops, and everyone plays for each other."
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 16, 2023
Jeff Green (!) led the way with 24 points off the bench, scoring the majority of those points in the second half. Nikola Jokić achieved his 21st triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in his 35 minutes. The Nuggets improved to 21-0 when he records one. It certainly wasn’t Jokić’s most effective performance, but the Nuggets didn’t need his best to get it done tonight. Michael Porter Jr. also added 22 points, hitting five three-pointers.
Here are my takeaways from the Nuggets matchup with the Mavericks on Wednesday night:
Michael Porter Jr. is doing great things
Michael Porter Jr. deserves a ton of credit for how he’s handled his NBA career. He could have gone to Houston and jacked up shots, learning how to be a primary ball handler or close to it. Instead, he has become a true playoff caliber contributor, doing things on both ends that are really, really impressive.
Tonight, Porter finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in his 33 minutes. He shot 8-of-16 from the field and 5-of-10 from three, providing a spacing threat for the rest of the Nuggets offense at all times. He also had some nice drives to the baskets, leveraging that shooting talent really well.
“He’s in attack mode,” shared Malone on Porter’s aggressiveness driving to the hoop. “That’s like a whole ‘nother dimension. Now, you’re not just a three-point shooter.”
But for Porter to also be making the plays he’s now making defensively is extremely encouraging. In the first half, he was switching onto Luka Dončić and doing a pretty good job, allowing the stepback three but contesting at its highest point. In the second half, it was Porter protecting the rim, collecting two blocks on layups and saving points.
The Nuggets defense is better with Porter on the floor statistically, which isn’t an accident.
MPJ with the deny ✋ pic.twitter.com/ph4LlbRXNl
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 16, 2023
Jeff Green had a big time moment in the second half
It’s been awhile since Jeff Green has been part of Denver’s positive moments. He’s gone through a shooting slump and is clearly affected by the hand injury he’s dealt with for awhile. Still, he’s been available for the Nuggets lately and has been staying the course.
Tonight, it paid off. Green had some great moments in the second half, cutting for several dunks, hitting a three, stealing a pass and finishing over Luka Dončić in transition. Green was great, scoring 24 points on 11-of-16 from the field and 2-of-5 from three in 26 minutes.
He was so good that Michael Malone cited Ponce De Leon, saying that Jeff Green may have found the Fountain of Youth somewhere in Florida.
Air Jeff ✈️ pic.twitter.com/AO7seD6nxH
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 16, 2023
Green is unlikely to remain in the rotation after the All-Star break. Vlatko Čančar has played his way into a consistent role, and the Nuggets are clearly hoping to work in Reggie Jackson and Thomas Bryant together. There’s not a lot of room for Green, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to contribute in spot minutes. The Nuggets may need that given the injuries they’ve faced for much of the year.
Still, it was nice to see a strong Jeff Green performance tonight.
Everybody is ready for the All-Star break
It was clear throughout the game, even if the Nuggets were playing hard throughout, that the entire team is ready for the break. Nikola Jokić in particular looked extremely tired, passing out of several shots in the first quarter and not getting as much pep in his step as he normally has. Because he’s a generational player, he was able to make it work and still had a good game, but the Nuggets were a bit sloppy and disconnected at points because of it.
Michael Malone, sounding like he’s about to keel over from losing his voice:
“I wish Aaron Gordon was going to Salt Lake City.
I wish Jamal Murray was going to Salt Lake City.
I wish KCP was going to Salt Lake City.
And I wish I wasn’t going to Salt Lake City.”
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) February 16, 2023
To be clear, the Nuggets have every right to be ready for the break. They’ve played so hard and been extremely successful for much of the season, and they’ve worked themselves into a top-of-the-line offense AND quality defense over the past few months as a result. With Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray already dealing with nagging injuries, it’s important for the Nuggets to get some rest over the course of this next week.
Thomas Bryant on bringing energy:
"I always tell myself to never let off the gas. Backing up the two-time MVP is a heckuva job. I always want to have that mindset of: okay, when he comes out, there's no let-ups."
Nuggets fans are gonna love Thomas Bryant.
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) February 16, 2023
Of course, plenty of Nuggets have that opportunity now that the NBA All-Star festivities have been announced and just one player is participating.
Final Rotations
