The Dallas Mavericks proved the Denver Nuggets still have a long way to go.
Needless to say, the game for the Nuggets did not go as planned against the Mavericks. They dropped to 3-8 on the road, made Harrison Barnes look like LeBron James and made Dallas look like an actual playoff team.
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The last place team in the Western Conference took it to what was the fourth place in the West, Denver Nuggets. Coming into the game, it was no secret Denver was terrible on the road. But, this game really took the cake for showing how badly the Nuggets miss home when they travel.
Dallas showed how far the Nuggets still have to go in terms of actually competing with the elite teams of the league. Granted, it doesn’t help when your without your two best players, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic. However, it is still no excuse for losing to bottom feeders you are supposed to defeat. Even when short handed.
It is a very blunt statement, but it is true; Dallas exposed Denver. At home, the Nuggets are a completely different team. They move the ball fluidly, play good enough defense and just simply find a way to win. On the road, their identity completely changes. They start playing too much hero ball, play inconsistent defense and let lesser teams and role players run circles around them.
The Dallas Mavericks, keep in mind, are competing for a top five draft pick this year. And they beat the Nuggets by 17 points. 17! Simply inexcusable.
The Nuggets better change up their methods or hope they get Jokic back soon. If not, then this team’s playoff chances may be in jeopardy despite it still being early.
Next: A look at Denver's road troubles
Denver got a rude awakening from Dallas and it is now up to them to take a long, hard look in the mirror.