Back at home after suffering two straight losses on the move, in Atlanta and then New Orleans, the Nuggets received the Mavericks, on the opposite dynamic with two wins in a row.
Long undecided, this match finally tipped over to the side of the Mavs (116-115), thanks to a better controlled end to the match, and a decisive 3-pointer from Dorian Finney-Smith to give Dallas the advantage definitively at 17 seconds from the end.
Subsequently, Nikola Jokic had the opportunity to equalize on the throw line but he let the first slip. An opportunity seized by Spencer Dinwiddie on the opposing penalty line.
Weighed down by 17 stray bullets and a short game from Jamal Murray, the Nuggets bowed for a third defeat in a row despite a big game from Aaron Gordon (27 points, 8 rebounds) and another from Nikola Jokic (19 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A thrilling end to the game. Passed to +8 5 minutes from the end of the match, thanks to a 3-pointer from Tim Hardaway Jr., the Mavs had to tear themselves away to win. Behind Nikola Jokic, with a basket plus the fault, then Bruce Brown, author of a 3-pointer to pass in front 37 seconds from the end, Denver was able to get back in the direction of travel with an 11-0. But in the little throwing game, Dallas managed to get out of it, with Dinwiddie (at 2/2) then Hardaway (at 0/2 but no longer enough time or time out for Denver) to score…
– Dallas goes up the slope. In the trough of the wave at the end of November, with four losses in a row and six in eight games, the Mavs have regained the hair of the beast to start December. With this third victory in a row snatched with forceps in Denver, Dallas is back in the heart of the Western Conference, currently in 7th place, very close to their opponent of the evening which is descending. And before a big inter-conference shock against Milwaukee on Friday night.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Tim Hardaway Jr.. Even though he missed his last two pitches, and was struggling to recover despite the victory at the final buzzer, Tim Hardaway Jr. had a great game, his best this season. Author of 29 points with a very good 7/12 on shots including an excellent 6/8 from 3-pointers, the former Michigan player confirms his rise in power. On the young month of December, it is at 24 points on average, against less than 10 in November…
✅ Aaron Gordon. With 27 points at 10/13 on shots, Gordon hasn’t spoiled much, to say the least! Unfortunately, the Nuggets’ leaping inside efforts were in vain, arriving too early in the first quarter (10 points) and in the 3rd quarter (8 points, 6 rebounds).
✅ ⛔ Luka Doncic. In triple-double for the sixth time of the season (52nd time in career), with 22 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, Luka Doncic still made his match this night. Perhaps less bloody at the end of the match, with several stray bullets, the Mavs superstar was able to compensate for his clumsiness (5/17) with his all around activity.
⛔ Jamal Murray. With a final prayer from the midfielder on the last action, Jamal Murray did not fix his shooting percentage of the evening: 2/11 on shots including 0/5 from 3-pointers. At 11 points and only 5 assists, the Canadian archer got through his match. Too bad because he had been in great shape for 10 days.
THE FOLLOWING
Dallas (13-11) : reception of the Bucks on Friday.
Denver (14-10) : trip to Portland on Thursday.
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