Mavericks Vs. Nuggets: Dirk Nowitzki And Danilo Gallinari To Face Off On TNT

The Denver Nuggets have added some big pieces to their lineup over the past week, meaning Monday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks could end up being a bit of a transition game. It's unclear when JaVale McGee and Wilson Chandler will make their debuts, but they are expected to be available for the game against the Mavericks.

Denver is also working on re-acclimating Danilo Gallinari with the starting lineup after missing over a month with an ankle injury, but he's looked just fine as he's averaged 18 points in his last three outings. Gallo might need to up that scoring average, though, when Monday night's game tips off at 10:30 p.m. as the back end of the TNT doubleheader.

Dallas has had the Nuggets number this season, winning the last two meetings against Denver. In a weird bit of events, backup wing Rudy Fernandez was the leading scorer in both of those losses, but it's pretty clear George Karl wouldn't mind one of his starters stepping up and delivering a victory for the home crowd on Monday night.

The Mavericks are on a three-game winning streak entering Monday night's affair. In all three of those wins, Dirk Nowitzki has scored exactly 27 points which isn't exactly notable (but a fun statistic nonetheless). Dallas has mostly relied on Nowitzki to put the team on his back while the rest of the starters contribute where they can, but someone new may need to step up in Monday's game if Shawn Marion is forced to miss a second-straight outing due to injury.

For more on the Mavericks, check out Mavs Moneyball. If you're interested in news and analysis from a Nuggets' point of view, visit Denver Stiffs.