The Denver Nuggets have matched their best start in franchise history through 36 games at 25-11.

During the 2018-19 season, the Nuggets were also 25-11 at this point. This year doesn’t feel as glorious as last year, but the Nuggets remain 2nd in the western conference standings.

With the emergence of Nikola Jokic and coach Michael Malone consolidating the lineup, the Nuggets are hitting their stride with a chance to play another nationally-televised game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have a record of 23-13, holding down the 6th seed in the western conference. The Mavs have been struggling recently going just 5-5 in their last ten games.

MVP candidate Luka Doncic has changed the culture of this team, leading them to a unexpected great start. Doncic will need additional help from his supporting cast as Kristaps Porzingas is being ruled out with knee soreness. This is the fifth straight game Porzingas has missed.

Nuggets forward Will Barton III has also been ruled out of this game due to “personal reasons”. The absesnce of Will Barton III, will open up more playing time for Nuggets star rookie Michael Porter Jr.

The Mavericks open up as -2 favorites, but the line could change as game-time approaches.

The Nuggets have underachieved greatly on most of their national television appearances, a victory against the Mavericks could help vault Denver back into the championship contender conversation.

Gary Harris struggles to find his offensive rhythm.

Various players on the Nuggets roster have been referring to Gary Harris as “first team” due to his sensational efforts on defense this season. Repeatedly, Gary Harris has been given the responsibility of slowing down the opposing teams best perimeter scorer. Gary has excelled with great defensive performances against superstars like, Luka Doncic, James Harden, Damian Lillard and Devin Booker.

As great as Harris defense has been, his offense has taken a major hit.

Gary Harris averaged 17.5 points per game just two seasons ago on 48% shooting from the field. Gary’s scoring and field goal percentage have both steadily went down since the 2017-18 season. This campaign, Gary is averaging just 11.0 points per game on 42% shooting from the field. That’s a six-point drop in scoring and efficiency and it’s been effecting the Nuggets offense.

As the 5th scoring option, Gary Harris could really help raise the Nuggets chances of winning a championship, if he can re-gain his form and confidence he displayed two seasons ago.

Is Michael Malone‘s playoff rotation set?

As one of the deeper teams in the NBA, The Nuggets have a lot of guys that deserve playing time on a nightly basis. The challenge of who was going to actually receive playing time, was all on Michael Malone.

Coming into the season, the main question was “who was going to be the starting small-forward”?

Last year during the playoffs, Torrey Craig took Will Barton III spot in the starting lineup as Barton struggled to find his rhythm after having surgery earlier in the season.

Will Barton III re-gained his starting spot back by winning the competition during training camp, and has taken full advantage of his opportunity by having a career year.

The next biggest question was how many minutes does hyped-up “superstar” rookie Michael Porter Jr deserve? Michael Malone took the conservative route when dealing with MPJ because it was the only way the team would respect him. Malone didn’t want to hand MPJ minutes without earning it first.

MPJ is finally starting to crack the rotation consistently, putting up good numbers in spurts. MPJ could be the x-factor the Nuggets need to get over the hump, it just may not be this season.

Now, the most prominent question regarding the rotation is the playing time of Juncho Hernongomez, Torrey Craig and Malik Beasley.

All three players were staples in the Nuggets success last year. This season, they struggle to find ANY playing time. Last game against the Atlanta Hawks, all three players received DNP’s (coaches decision) from Michael Malone. Most teams playoff rotation consists of nine guys and it’s getting clear who Malone’s nine guys are going to be. Murray, Harris, Barton III, Millsap, Jokic, Morris, MPJ, Grant & Plumlee.

It’s been speculated that Juancho, Malik & Torrey could all be on the trading block.