Nuggets vs Mavericks Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 1/14/25

DENVER @ DALLAS (DEN -4.5, 230.5)

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Nuggets vs Mavericks Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 1/14/25

NUGGETS @ MAVERICKS 1/14/25

The Denver Nuggets are setting their sights on a fourth straight win as they go head to head with the Mavericks for the second consecutive time in Dallas on Tuesday night. Denver has seven victories out of its last nine games leading into tonight’s rematch. Dallas, on the other hand, has lost six of its last eight games.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone isn’t a fan of the NBA’s scheduling. However, he did find a silver lining in playing the Mavericks twice in three days. He told reporters that two games in the same city means fewer flights and less hassle dealing with travel.

In their last game with the Mavericks on Sunday, the Nuggets walked off with a 112-101 win, thanks largely to a strong fourth quarter performance. The team was trailing by 12 points just two minutes into the last period, before pulling ahead with a 33-12 scoreline in the fourth quarter.

Russell Westbrook chalked up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists for the Nuggets. He ended up shooting 10-of-17 from the field for Denver. Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP for Denver, was within reach of a triple-double with 19 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. He's also a strong contender for his fourth MVP, boasting an average of 31.2 points per game and landing 47.1% of his 3-point shots.

Jokic's current season is marked with a career-high scoring average, a significant leap from his previous best average of 27.1 points. His 3-point shooting percentage has also seen a considerable increase compared to his former best of 39.6%.

Denver's Aaron Gordon (calf) made his comeback from a nine-game hiatus on Sunday, contributing 13 points and six rebounds. Tuesday's game will mark the last regular season game between Denver and the Mavericks, with Denver currently holding a 2-1 lead.

Klay Thompson from the Mavericks managed to score 25 points in the Sunday game, largely due to his six successful three-pointers. The Mavericks are grappling with injuries to their top two players, Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (back sprain). However, coach Jason Kidd is determined that there'll be no room for excuses.

Doncic is set to be re-evaluated on Jan. 27 and missing Tuesday's game takes him out of the race for the MVP award. Players must play in 65 games during the regular season to be in the running for the league MVP award.

Doncic's outstanding performance last season saw him finish third in the MVP vote after averaging a career-best 33.9 points. The award was won by Denver's Jokic, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder as the runner-up.

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COACH RICK FREE PICK:

OVER 232.5

This total opened at 230.5 and is up two points already. These two teams have played three times this season and two of the three games went Over the total. Denver is No. 3 in scoring in the NBA averaging 120.4 PPG while Dallas is scoring 119.1 per game and is ninth. Yes, Dallas doesn’t have Luka and may not have Kyrie (game-time decision), but they can still fill it up. Plus, Denver will control the pace of tonight’s game and the Nuggets are fifth in the NBA in possessions per game. The Nuggets are one of the top Over teams in the league - 23-14-1 O/U for the season, 11-7-1 O/U in road games.