DENVER – A massive night by Nikola Jokic and a 15-foot jumper with 6.5 seconds left by Michael Porter Jr. gave the Denver Nuggets a 122-120 victory over the Mavericks Sunday night at Ball Arena.
Jokic had 37 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists befuddled the Mavericks, who also got a huge showing from Kyrie Irving with a season-best 43 points, including four key three-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the Mavericks’ hopes alive.
The Mavericks fell to 5-5 and lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Nuggets won for the fifth consecutive time, all at home, to move to 7-3.
The Mavericks were up 120-118 when Irving banked in a shot with 1:40 to play.
But Jokic tipped in a miss and after Peyton Watson blocked Irving, the ball found its way to Porter, who penetrated and dropped his shot in.
The Mavericks got the ball to Irving who launched a three-pointer that missed and a tip try by Daniel Gafford also was off the mark.
The Mavericks were up 116-115 and appeared to get a good defensive stop, but Luka Dončić was called for a foul on a fly-by when Jamal Murray reared up from three-point range.
After an officials’ review – the second time in two games the Mavericks have had this happen – the call was upheld and Murray went to the line. He made only one of the three.
Dončić finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Earlier, Irving had perhaps lulled the Nuggets into a false sense of security in the first three quarters when he wore out the midrange game. He made a slew of 10- to 15-footers to help the Mavericks keep pace with the Nuggets.
Then, Irving uncorked four three-pointers early in the fourth quarter, the last of which put the Mavericks ahead 108-106.
Jokic had stashed his triple double in his hip pocket much earlier – back in the third quarter. He returned to the court with 8:26 to play. The Nuggets scored the next four points to go ahead, setting up a dramatic finish.
The Mavericks got some good news before the game when Maxi Kleber (right hamstring strain) was cleared to play. He had missed the previous seven games. Strangely, however, he did not play.
Also, Dončić, who had been questionable with a left groin strain, warmed up before the game and got clearance to play.
Still out were P.J. Washington (right knee sprain), Dereck Lively II (right shoulder sprain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery).
But getting Kleber back was a positive, as was Luka’s availability.
What didn’t change was the Mavericks’ habit of starting slow. They fell behind 26-16 in the first quarter. But the difference is that they found a sense of urgency quickly and by halftime they had stuck a nose in front 63-60.
By then, Dončić and Jokic were showing off their ample skills, particularly in the passing department. Jokic had seven assists by halftime, Luka six. And the teams were trading blows because of the snappy ball movement. Both teams had 17 assists by halftime.
Perhaps the best news was that the Mavericks were getting some solid production from their bench with all four reserves that saw action scored before halftime.
X: @ESefko
