Preview: Mavericks (14-11) at Nuggets (15-10)

Earl K. Sneed reports from Denver and previews the Dallas Mavericks' Wednesday night matchup against the Nuggets as both teams try to end three-game losing streaks.

DENVER — Although their recent three-game losing streak is no indication of it, the Dallas Mavericks believe they are a much better team than the one that fell 115-93 to the Denver Nuggets back on Dec. 26.

Wednesday night, the Mavericks intend to show just how much better they actually are, entering the Pepsi Center for a second showdown with a slumping Nuggets squad that has dropped five out of its last six games. The Mavericks have lost four straight to the Nuggets overall and seven of 10 in Denver.

“We know Denver is a great team, especially at home. So, we’ve got our hands full Wednesday,” 10-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki said of the matchup.

Since meeting early in the season, both the Mavericks (14-11) and Nuggets have gone through plenty to get to this point. Both teams also enter Wednesday night’s contest after dropping three straight while playing on without key contributors.

Taking the court minus point guard Jason Kidd for five straight outings, the Mavericks have shown glimpses of their depth but have yet to put a full four quarters together as of late. With a timetable for Kidd’s return still unknown, however, the Mavs acknowledge that they will have to get back on track without the floor general’s direction.

“We’re still missing J-Kidd, our leader, and I think once he gets back that’s gonna sort a lot of things out and we’ll be alright,” newcomer Delonte West said after Saturday night’s 91-88 loss in Cleveland. “We’re a veteran team and ain’t nobody hanging their heads. Of course, we lost some games we wanted to win, but it’s the NBA and any game is anybody’s. Once you check ball, it’s anybody’s game.”

Meanwhile, the Nuggets (15-10) just received word that they will be without sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari for at least a month due to “a significant ankle sprain.” And although the Mavs say the Nuggets are not the same squad without Gallinari’s deadly shooting, with Denver getting back starting center Nene (left heel) and swingman Arron Afflalo (left ankle, right big toe) after sitting out a 99-90 home loss to Houston on Monday, coach Rick Carlisle says his team will still have a big challenge on its hands.

“[Gallinari] is a key player for them and he’s out, but those kinds of things as we know too well guarantee nothing,” Carlisle said. “So, we’re gonna have to play and play well.”

He added: “We’re working on our process of playing. Our defense has got to be a strength. Transition defense against Denver is gonna be a big thing, containing the ball is something we had a lot of problems with in Cleveland and rebounding. So, we always know the result that we want, but the process of getting there is something we have to work on every second of the day.”

Still, in the second of three straight road games, the Mavs admit that they much play better basketball during what may be their hardest stretch of the season. And with a string of playoff-contending teams ahead of them during the month of February, the defending champs know they will have to immediately right the ship if they are going to remain competitive in the Western Conference.

“This is a key stretch,” Carlisle explained. “I don’t discount that. But again, instead of looking at 14 days and looking at all the opponents and analyzing it … [Wednesday] we need to have a good shootaround and then we’ve got to get our running shoes on, because Denver runs the ball right up your [tails]. So, being alert and going from one play to the next is critical.”

Note: The Mavs return to action Wednesday night in Denver in a second matchup with the Nuggets. That game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 8 p.m. CT. The Nuggets lead the season series 1-0 after a 115-93 win in Dallas on Dec. 26.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.