The NBA offers an 11-game slate on Friday, November 18, and this Western Conference duel is Dallas is among the most interesting, so make sure you check out the best Nuggets vs. Mavericks betting pick and odds.

Both Denver and Dallas are looking to return to winning ways when they face at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks are -10.5 favorites on BookMaker Sportsbook, while the total is set at 217.5 points. These Western Conference rivals have met on three occasions last season, and the Mavs won that series 2-1.

Nuggets suffered the first home defeat of the year

The Denver Nuggets (9-5, 6-8-0 ATS) experienced how is it to play without a two-time MVP Nikola Jokic for the first time this season and suffered the first home loss of the campaign. The New York Knicks were better 106-103 in a tight encounter, getting their fourth road win in five games. Denver had a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the visitors displayed a great defensive performance in the remainder of the tilt and got away with a W. The Nuggets committed 15 turnovers opposite New York’s eight.

Nah’Shon Hyland led the Nuggets with 21 points and seven rebounds. Jamal Murray also scored 21 points with a team-high nine boards and team-high six assists. Denver had four more players in double digits, but it was evident that their offense isn’t working without Jokic and Aaron Gordon, who missed the game with an illness.

C Nikola Jokic missed the last game due to going through the league’s health and safety protocol, and it is unclear if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday. PG Ish Smith (calf) and PF Aaron Gordon (illness) are questionable to play.

Mavericks were toothless without Doncic

Same as the Nuggets, the Dallas Mavericks (8-6, 3-10-1 ATS) also played without their star player Luka Doncic and suffered a disappointing home loss to their divisional foes Houston Rockets. Given that this was only the third win of the season for Houston, the Mavs have to be downhearted with this defeat. Dallas shot a miserable 30.4% from the floor and 21.8% from beyond the arc, and even the fact that the Rockets committed even 23 turnovers opposite the Mavericks’ six didn’t help the hosts to avoid a 101-92 loss.

Tim Hardaway Jr. led Dallas with 28 points and four rebounds. Christian Wood followed him with 26 points and team-high eight rebounds, while Spencer Dinwiddie had just nine points on 3-18 from the field, but he did record a game-high ten dishes along with a pair of steals.

C JaVale McGee (neck) and PF/C Maxi Kleber (back) are questionable to feature on Friday against the Nuggets.

Trends:

Denver:

  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games
  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games against Dallas

Dallas:

  • 10-4 SU in the last 14 games when playing at home against Denver

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Pick

The Nuggets will probably be without Jokic and Gordon yet again, while Luka Doncis is back in the lineup after taking a night off in a loss against Houston. The Mavs are a way better team with Doncic on the floor, both offensively and defensively, and I am sure they will return to winning ways on Friday. Expect a big game from the Slovenian playmaker, who is currently averaging a league-high 34.4 points per game. That said, I am backing him to score 30+ in this one and lead his team to victory.  

Pick: Take the Mavericks at -9.5 (-120)

The Total

I believe the Mavs will return to their usual 110 points per game on average now when Doncic is back, but Denver’s lack of offensive production without Jokic and Gordon is concerning. That’s why I am going with a low-scoring affair, and also because Dallas has the third-best defense in the NBA that is allowing 106.7 ppg to its opponents. The Mavs are the slowest team in the league with a pace of just 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes – another reason for Under. The total has gone Under in four of Denver’s last six games, while the total went Under in four of Dallas’ previous six games.

Pick: Go Under 217.5 points (-110)