In a nail-biter that stretched to the final seconds, the Dallas Mavericks edged the Denver Nuggets 131-130 on Tuesday night, ending a two-game skid and snapping Denver’s 11-game road run.
The Game Overview
The contest began with a decisive early lead for Denver, who pulled ahead 50-29 in the second quarter. Dallas, however, fought back and kept the game within reach. The Mavericks ultimately secured the win with a 131-130 scoreline, a result that was decided by a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt from Peyton Watson that missed.
Cooper Flagg’s Performance
Cooper Flagg delivered a near triple-double, tallying 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. He also hit a career-high fourth 3-pointer that pushed Dallas to a 126-121 advantage with 3:17 remaining. Earlier in the game, Flagg’s 14-point first quarter tied his career high for a single quarter, shooting all seven attempts, including two from beyond the arc.
Anthony Davis’s Contribution
Anthony Davis added 31 points and nine rebounds, providing a strong inside presence for the Mavericks. His performance helped balance the offense and kept the team competitive throughout the fourth quarter, especially during Denver’s late rally.
Nuggets’ Resilience
Denver’s Jamal Murray scored 31 points and dished out 14 assists, while Nikola Jokic posted 29 points and 14 assists. Jokic, who averages 12.1 rebounds per game, managed only seven rebounds, matching his season low. The Nuggets forced a 24-second violation with 7.8 seconds left, setting up a potential winning shot.
Back-to-Back Context
Both teams completed back-to-back games. Denver had won 135-112 over Utah at home on Monday, while Dallas lost 119-113 to New Orleans. The tight finish on Tuesday added to the fatigue and intensity of the double-header.
Season Implications
With this victory, the Mavericks have taken the first two games of the season against the Nuggets, having previously won 131-121 at Denver on December 1. The win also halted Denver’s 11-game road winning streak, a run that had spanned from early October through the previous week.
Key Statistics
- Cooper Flagg – 33 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 14-point first quarter, 4-3-shot
- Anthony Davis – 31 points, 9 rebounds
- Jamal Murray – 31 points, 14 assists
- Nikola Jokic – 29 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds
- Tim Hardaway Jr. – 23 points, 7 three-pointers
- Peyton Watson – 3-point attempt at the buzzer (missed)
- Mavericks’ record vs. Nuggets – 2-0 for the season
- Nuggets’ road streak – 11 games (now snapped)
Key Takeaways
- Cooper Flagg’s 33 points and nine assists were pivotal in the close finish.
- Anthony Davis added a double-digit scoring and rebounding effort.
- Denver’s late rally fell short after a missed buzzer-beating 3-point attempt.
- The Mavericks have now won both games against Denver this season.
- The Nuggets’ 11-game road winning streak ended with this loss.
The game showcased the Mavericks’ resilience and the Nuggets’ capacity to challenge even in the closing minutes. With both teams exhausted from back-to-back games, the Mavericks’ victory stands out as a testament to their ability to close tight contests and maintain momentum against a formidable opponent.
