The undefeated Dallas Mavericks will be in for a tough test this Saturday, as they are about to face the reigning world champions Denver Nuggets, who can’t wait to get back on the floor after tasting their first loss of the campaign. This game also kicks off the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament.

Catch this game live on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10 AM, Manila time

Away: Dallas Mavericks (4-0/2-0 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Luka Doncic
  • Kyrie Irving (Questionable)
  • Grant Williams
  • Derrick Jones Jr.
  • Dereck Lively III

The Mavericks are on a roll, as they remain undefeated through five games in the 2023-24 NBA season. Making their sizzling start to their campaign even more impressive is the fact that they have won their last two games despite missing the services of Kyrie Irving, who has been dealing with a left foot sprain. Irving is considered questionable for Saturday’s meeting with the Nuggets, but with Luka Doncic and many others playing great so far for Dallas, it’s not a reach to expect the Mavs to steal a win in Mile High City. 

Doncic is leading the team with a near triple-double average of 33.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.8 assists, while Tim Hardaway Jr., Grant Williams, and Dereck Lively III contribute nicely as well. It was even Williams who paced the Mavs in their 114-105 win at home over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, scoring 25 points on the strength of seven triples. Dallas’ offense is humming and it’s one that is third in the league in scoring (122.5 PPG) and fourth in effective field goal rate (58.2%).

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Home: Denver Nuggets (4-1/2-0 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jamal Murray (Probable)
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • Michael Porter Jr.
  • Aaron Gordon
  • Nikola Jokic (Probable)

The Nuggets currently have a tricky roster outlook for the Mavs game. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are labeled probable, so Denver could make the decision to rest both stars. Murray and Jokic, however, played fewer minutes than usual in their last game, a 110-89 road loss to the Timberwolves on Thursday due to the blowout nature of that contest, which means they have enough rest to go all out this Saturday. 

If the two starts can’t go, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will have a full plate. They aren’t exactly every team’s dream Big Three, but they have a ton of experience playing with each other. Plus, Dallas’ defense isn’t that stout to be feated. The Mavs are just 18th in the league in scoring defense (113.5) and 24th in defensive effective field goal rate (56.2%). The last time the Nuggets hosted Dallas, they defeated the the Mavs to the tune of a 118-109 score last February, with Porter leading Denver with 22 points. They also did not have Murray suited up in that contest.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Mavs (+6.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (226.5) hits the Over.

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