Nuggets at Mavericks
THE STORY: An initial glance at the Denver Nuggets’ roster doesn’t reveal a go-to guy. Danilo Gallinari, though, could become that man. The Nuggets open their 2011-12 season Monday against the world champion Mavericks in Dallas, and hope Gallinari can step up. The Mavericks raised their championship banner and were promptly taken down by the Miami Heat 105-94 on Sunday. Dallas trailed by 32 points entering the fourth quarter in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. Gallinari came to Denver from New York in the blockbuster trade for Carmelo Anthony in February and averaged 14.7 points in 14 games. The Nuggets lost to Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs, and lacked a proven scorer. Dallas has no such problems. Dirk Nowitzki has hit plenty of big shots during his Hall of Fame career and leads a team capable of repeating despite Sunday’s debacle.
TV: 8:30 p.m., Altitude (Denver), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (0-0): Denver re-signed two key players from last season’s 50-32 team – Arron Afflalo and Nene – but had three others – Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler – bolt for China during the lockout. Those three cannot sign with an NBA team until their seasons are over in China, which could range from Feb. 15 (end of regular season) to the playoffs, running as late as March 28. The Nuggets are in great shape in the backcourt with point guards Ty Lawson and veteran Andre Miller.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (0-1): Lamar Odom, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers, was ejected in his debut in the third quarter after he received two technical fouls for arguing a call. Odom and Jason Terry are part of one of the top benches in the NBA, which will have added importance in a compact 66-game season. Dallas must overcome the loss of 7-footer Tyson Chandler to New York via free agency. Dallas plays the first of its 20 back-to-back games this season, which includes one stretch of three games in three days.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Denver won three of four meetings last season, including both at Dallas.
2. Nene led the NBA in field goal percentage at .615 in 2010-11.
3. Denver is 8-1 against the spread in its last nine games in Dallas.