Nuggets-Mavs Instant Reactions: Nikola Jokic, Denver embarrassed by Dallas in 4th straight home loss

What is going on at Ball Arena? The Denver Nuggets fell 131-121 to the Dallas Mavericks Monday night in Denver. It’s the Nuggets’ 4th straight loss at home.

Those losses? The Mavs, Kings, Bulls, and Spurs (without Victor Wembanyama). Not exactly a murderers row of opponents.

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Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. Spencer Jones had a career high 28 points.

Anthony Davis led the Mavs with 32 points. Andrew Nembhard had 28.

Here’s what else stood out from the game.

For a moment, Jokic’s NBA record fastest triple-double ever from 2018 (14:33) was in danger. In the first 9 minutes of the 1st quarter, Jokic tallied 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Then, Jokic slowed down a bit and finished the 1st half with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

Jokic clinched another triple-double with midway through the 3rd quarter. It’s the 7th time he’s gotten a triple-double before the 4th quarter this season.

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Career night for Spencer Jones

This was a WILD first quarter. Jokic went crazy, and so did Spencer Jones who scored 14 points in the 1st quarter and was into the 20’s in the 3rd quarter.

Jones was perfect from 3-3 from 3-point range in the first half on his way to a career high. He made 9 out of his first 10 shots tonight.

Disaster 2nd quarter

The Nuggets outscored the Mavs 41-27 in the 1st quarter. Then somehow got outscored 42-27 in the 2nd. It was a classic Nuggets let-up. Denver just stopped playing and let Dallas get back into the game. All of a sudden it was a nail-biter into the 2nd half.

The Nuggets’ first quarter defense evaporated. They let the Mavs get comfortable, and all of a sudden Denver had itself a game.