The Nuggets are back in the national spotlight Wednesday evening against the Dallas Mavericks. This matchup could be a first round playoff preview.

The Nuggets are currently third in the west at 43-21 while the Mavericks sit seventh at 39-27. The contest will tip-off at 6 P.M, MST on ESPN. The Nuggets haven’t played well this season on national television which really dampers their national outlook. The Nuggets have remained a top three seed for the better part of this season and last, but many members of the national media question their validity and believe a team like Dallas would upset them in the first round.

This is a statement game for the Nuggets on the road.

Denver has been limping to the finish line with a pedestrian record of 4-3 post all-star break.

The Nuggets weren’t having much success before the all-star break either, winning just five of their last ten contests overall. The Nuggets still maintain home-court advantage if the playoffs started today, but Houston, Oklahoma City and Utah are all on their trail and gaining momentum. The Nuggets have a two game lead on Utah, and a three game lead on Oklahoma City and Houston. Denver is still in prime position to attain the second seed over the Clippers who have a one game lead on Denver with another game between the two remaining.

Betting Trends/Statistics/Injuries

The Nuggets open up as a -1 favorite on the road with the o/u set at 218. 57% of the public’s money is going to the Mavericks to cover their spread of +1. (Action Network).

The Nuggets are 30-31-3 ATS so far this season while the Mavericks have been more reliable at 34-28-3 ATS. Denver and Dallas have also been spotty with the o/u line. Denver is just 5-4-1 in their last ten o/u and Dallas is just 5-5.

This game will feature a high-powered Dallas offense verse the slow-paced, defensive minded Denver team. The Mavericks rank first in overall offensive net rating, fourth in true shooting percentage and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio. MVP candidate Luka Doncic and the Mavs, score a lot of points while not turning the ball over often. The Nuggets must keep pace with the Mavericks and hit open jump-shots if they want a chance to win on the road. The Nuggets offense has been great since January though, ranking eighth in offensive net rating.

Defense is the staple of this Nuggets team, which coach Mike Malone demands. Denver was notoriously top ten in defensive net rating all season but took a huge dip since the all star break. The Nuggets are now 12th in defensive net rating and 29th since the all-star break. Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and Torrey Craig are usually tasked with the responsibility of slowing down the opposing team’s best scorers. It’ll be all hands on deck tonight with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingas carrying the load for Dallas.

The Mavericks have injury concerns coming into this matchup. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Willie Cauley-Stein and Seth Curry missed Tuesday’s game against San Antonio. Seth Curry is dealing with an ankle issue while MKG and Cauley-Stein deal with an illness. Dwight Powell, who was their starting center, is out for the season with an achilles rupture. Jalen Brunson who was responsible for their backup point guard duties, is also out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. Luka Doncic has been listed on the injury report with a bad wrist, but he is expected to play against Denver.

The Nuggets will be completely healthy against the Mavericks tonight.