Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Game 4 Predictions
Written May 11, 2009 by Jason Lowry
Monday night the Denver Nuggets will try and finish off the Dallas Mavericks in style, as the Nuggets jumped up to a 3-0 series lead, and are just one win away from a trip to the Western Conference Finals. This series very easily could have been 2-1, as the refs blew a call late in the game when Antoine Wright of the Mavericks tried to waste a foul on Carmelo Anthony, but the refs did not make the call and Anthony went on to hit the game winning 3-pointer to give the Nuggets a shocking 106-105 win. Both Anthony and Chauncey Billups topped the 30 point plateau, as Billups dropped in 32 and Anthony had 31. Kenyon Martin had 12 points and J.R. Smith added 10 points off the bench, but no one else really did much scoring for the Nuggets in game 3. For Dallas Dirk Nowitzki had a game high 33 points and a 16 rebounds, but was unable to hit a fadeaway 2-pointer to put the Mavs up 4 seconds before Anthony’s game winning shot. Jason Kid had 13 points and Josh Howard returned to score 14, while Jason Terry and Brandon Bass combined to score 33 points off the bench. Game 4 stays in Dallas, where the Mavs will try and put a win on the board and keep this series alive. Here is a look at what I think both teams need to do to win game 4, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.
What the Nuggets have to do to win: Denver has yet to lose to the Mavericks this season, and really got lucky to come away with a win in game 3. While Anthony and Billups both had solid games, the big men of Denver really struggled to get it going. Nene and Chris Anderson both had just 5 points a piece, and Anderson fouled out in just 11 minutes. The Nuggets will need a better game from both of these guys if they want to finish off the series on the road. The reason Denver has got off to such a good start this postseason, is they have got excellent bench play from a number of players, but in game 3, the reserves combined to go just 6 for 21 from the field and 5 for 8 from the line. It won’t be easy in game 4, as I expect Dallas to do whatever it takes to win this game, and its unlikely the Mavs let another close one slip away at home. Bet the Nuggets +1.5 to win at Sportsbook.com.
What the Mavericks have to do to win: Dallas has been great at home since the All-Star break, and very well should of won game 3, so you have to think that Dallas has a pretty good shot at winning game 4. The Mavs will need another big game from Nowitzki, but he won’t be able to do it alone, as they will again need scoring from Howard and the bench players like Terry and Bass. In game 3 the Mavs bench outscored the Nuggets bench 35-18, and you have to think if they can pull off that same feat again they will win the game. Kidd might be the most important part of game 4, as the Mavs could really use this guy to not only score the basketball, but get other players open shots. In game 3 Kidd had just 5 assists, and I think he needs to be much closer to double digits in that category if the Mavs are going to win this game. The season is on the line for Dallas, and I expect them to respond with a big time performance in game 4. Bet the Mavericks -1.5 to win at Sportsbook.com.
My Predictions: Mavericks -1.5. I know that the series is pretty much over with the loss of game 3, as I don’t think Dallas can win two games on the road, but that doesn’t mean they won’t go out and give 100% in game 4. I think Dallas not only wins this game, but wins it easily, as I don’t think the Nuggets will come out with the same intensity knowing the series is all but over when they head back to Denver.
For those of you looking to do some NBA betting on the game this Monday, check out our expert NBA picks and grab the latest NBA odds at Betfirms.
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