These two have been unable to establish a steady rhythm for a while now, and tomorrow will be a good test as to who’s really in a better shape.

HOME TEAM: Dallas Mavericks (23-13, 10-8 at home)

Though losers in three of their last five games, the Dallas Mavericks will be coming off a good win. They beat the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, 118-110, by hitting 16 three-pointers and shooting over 52% from the floor.

The Mavericks also beat the Denver Nuggets in their first meeting back in late October, 109-106. Luka Doncic only went 3-for-12 for 12 points but his supporting cast came through as eight of teammates scored in double figures, five of which were from the second unit.

Luka will look to be much better than that performance and he’ll be on the heels of his 11th triple-double of the season (38 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists vs. the Bulls).

With Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely due to a knee injury, Tim Hardaway Jr. will remain as the second option of the Mavs. The second generation guard came back yesterday from missing three games due to a banged up hamstring. He scored 15 points in 21 minutes of play.

Denver Nuggets (25-11, 9-7 on the road)

The Nuggets have been going back-and-forth collecting Ws and Ls in their last five games. Like the Mavs, though, they will at least be building off a win. They beat the Atlanta Hawks on the road this past Tuesday, 123-111, courtesy of Nikola Jokic scoring a career-high 47 points and Will Barton adding a season-high 28.

Jokic will be an interesting look while going up against his favourable match-up with the Mavericks’ bigs. The past month has also been huge for the All-Star big man as he has woken up from the slow start to the season. He’s been averaging 23.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists on 55.6%-shooting since December 7th (17 games).

Considering he just had his most productive night of the season, the up-and-down Barton (14.8 PPG) is also someone to watch out for. Jamal Murray (17.8 PPG, 4.8 APG) has been average based on the standards set for him in the off-season but don’t come him out on a possible solid night.

All five of the Nuggets starters scored in double figures during that loss to the Mavs months back. Veteran forward Paul Millsap had a team-high 23 points, while Jokic dropped a 10/10/10 triple-double.

PREDICTION:

The Mavericks jump to a two-zip lead in the season series through a 115-109 victory. Expect Luka to use his usual bag of tricks, as well as Jokic. A scoring duel should be on the horizon.