The most recent encounter between the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets took place on November 3, resulting in a 125-114 victory for the reigning NBA champions led by Nikola Jokic over Luka Doncic’s squad.

Despite the Mavericks entering the game with an undefeated 4-0 record at the beginning of the season, the Nuggets, playing at home with the advantage of the mile-high altitude, secured the win, motivated by their previous loss.

As these two teams prepare for a Monday night rematch, similar circumstances surround the matchup. The Mavericks have recently won five of their last six games, yet the Nuggets, playing on their home court, seek redemption after a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. Despite being just halfway through the season, this game holds significance for Luka Doncic’s MVP campaign.

Doncic has been delivering an outstanding performance, averaging 32.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His shooting percentages are impressive, with 48.8 percent from the field and a career-high 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite several key injuries for the Mavericks, including star point guard Kyrie Irving missing four consecutive games with a heel contusion, Doncic has maintained his team’s success with a 16-9 record, securing the third spot in the Western Conference.