The set-up: The 13-9 Denver Nuggets haven't lost a home game in a month (seven straight wins since losing to the Warriors at Pepsi Center on Nov. 4th) but are not only about to kick off a six-game road trip but the team will be without its best player. Center Nikola Jokic (15.5 & 10.6) is expected to miss several games due to a sprained ankle. The Nuggets (3-7 on the road) open their trip with a visit to Dallas, which is 6-17, including just 4-10 at home. However, the Mavericks just pounded the Los Angeles Clippers 108-82 on Saturday to earn head coach Rick Carlisle his 700th career win. "I really wasn't counting, to tell you the truth," Carlisle told reporters. "It just means that I've been very fortunate. I've had three great owners and great players. But we've got a long way to go, and I've really never been one to count that kind of stuff."

Denver: The Nuggets beat the Lakers 115-100 for a seventh straight home win, giving them a 10-2 mark at home this season. Jamal Murray scored 28 points in the win to bounce back from a five-point performance on 1-of-9 shooting against Chicago on Thursday. Murray is averaging 14.1 PPG, joining fellow guards Barton (15.5), Harris (14.6) and Mudiay (10.1) in double digits. With Jokic sidelined for at least a few games and PF Millsap (15.7 & 6.2) also out until late-February with a wrist injury, Denver will need help from forwards Chandler and Faried, as well as center Plumlee (Good luck!).

Dallas: The Mavs are trying to clinch a winning three-game homestand after falling to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, before blasting the Clippers on Saturday. Veteran point guard J.J. Barea (12.4 & 5.2 APG) led the way with 21 points and 10 assists against Los Angeles and is averaging 13.2 points and 7.3 assists in the six wins. "I was able to come off the bench with a lot of energy and help the team out," Barea told reporters. "Everything was clicking from passing to shooting the ball from the outside, so it was great. It was great to be out there and to get this win. We needed it after a bad loss last time, so hopefully we carry this over." Barnes (18.3 & 7.5) is again leading the team in scoring plus rookie guard Smith (14.2) has been a nice surprise. Matthews (11.6) and Dirk (11.2 & 5.7) are also in double digits but Dallas is averaging just 99.8 PPG (27th).

The pick: Denver was already really hurting minus Millsap and now with Jokic out, I expect the poor-traveling Nuggets (even when healthy), to struggle. As noted, Dallas is not much of an offensive team anymore, so the Under is the 8* play.