Denver Nuggets' Possible Playoff Opponents: Dallas Mavericks

April 8 was a pivotal date in the Western Conference playoff picture, as the second, fifth, and eight seeds won, and the third, sixth, and seventh seeds all lost.

The Denver Nuggets took care of business, as they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-112 in Denver. They extended their winning streak to eight games and the Nuggets have yet to lose a game against a sub-.500 team at the Pepsi Center all year.

Portland won in San Antonio for the first time in seven years, 93-85, to strengthen the Nuggets' lead over the two position even further. The win means the Trailblazers are still within touching distance of winning the Northwest division, if they win their remaining four, including the final game of the season in Denver.

The fifth seeded New Orleans Hornets lost by five to a down-and-out of the playoffs Phoenix Suns squad.

In the game that effects Denver the most, as long as they hold on to the second seed, Dallas blew out Utah 130-101 at home, and made a statement about where they want to finish the season.

No one at this point wants to play the LA Lakers, especially in the first round, and Dallas is quickly maneuvering out of the dreaded eighth spot, and into seventh.

Currently, the Denver Nuggets maintain a two and a half game lead over the Spurs, Trailblazers, and Rockets, who are all now tied at 50-28.

Denver also retains the No. 2 seed as of Wednesday night. If they can hold onto the seed it means home court, and they will face the No. 7 seed, which as of right now, is the Utah Jazz.

However, the Jazz have lost four of five, including the vital loss tonight against Dallas, while the Mavs have been warming up, winning four of five. Dallas are now tied with Utah in the race for a first round matchup with the the Nuggets in Denver.

While the Jazz still have the tie breaker, the teams could switch places quite easily, and a battle to see which city is really the "Big D" would ensue.

The matchup between Denver and Dallas during the 2008-09 season seems lopsided. The Nuggets won the season series 4-0, but when one looks closer, the Nuggets only won by an average of four points a game.

Denver though, are more talented overall, and are a more clutch team when the game is on the line, as the close wins indicate.

The matchups in this would-be series are not as flashy as say, Utah, or even New Orleans, but Dallas could still give Denver fits if they are destined to meet.

Matchups

The first thing that is evident when glancing at this series, is that both squads have a super star player, that leads in scoring, but is relatively quiet in other areas.

Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets is definitely their star player, as the ball goes through him in almost every half-court offensive set, and he can really light up the score board when he is hot.

While his points per game numbers are down, at 22.9, his rebounding has improved to almost seven a game, and his passing is much improved at 3.3 assists a night.

'Melo though, is best when he's scoring. He is as comfortable with the ball on the wings, around the three-point line, jab-stepping and making defenders guess whether he will drive or shoot, as he is in the low block spinning off defenders for a turn-around fade-away jumper.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks is a similar player to Anthony, shooting efficiently, especially on the turn-around jumpers, which is made possible due to their height. He averages 25.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

Dirk loves getting the ball around the free throw line and performing his patented traveling fading shot, and is deadly when it's dropping. When it is, look for Nowitzki to be hitting his three-pointers as well, as he can kill teams just as easily as 'Melo, almost single-handedly.

Likewise, both players are liabilities on defense. Carmelo made Dirk look silly in their recent game together, dribbling around Nowitzki easily only to pull up for a 15-foot jumper.

Neither really play against one another though, as both teams match up better defenders against the capable scorers. Dirk will be playing against great swiping Kenyon Martin defense, and 'Melo will be playing against Josh Howard.

Advantage: Carmelo Anthony.

Even though Dirk's season numbers are slightly better, 'Melo has been lighting it up lately, so I give him the slight edge if this series takes place.

At probably the most important position on the floor, point guard, there is a match up for the ages in this series.

Jason Kidd is a perennial All-Star, and has been one of the NBA's best points for years. He recently passed Magic Johnson for third in NBA history in assists, and is close to passing Mark Jackson for second.

Even though he is older, at 36 years old, playing in his 14th year in the league, Kidd is still fifth in assists per game at 8.6.

Kidd's great passing and team play have made every team he has ever been on better, including the Mavs.

Facing Kidd at point guard for the Nuggets is Denver native, Chauncey Billups. Billups himself is a veteran, in his 11th year, and his experience makes him a leader.

Billups has been in charge of Denver since he was brought back in a trade three games into the 2008-09 season, and his commitment to defense and hard play has spread throughout the Nuggets team.

Chauncey has fit in well, scoring a team second best 18 points per game, while dishing out 6.4 assists per.

Not only can he drive well and get to the line, Billups loves pulling up for threes, hitting them and putting daggers into games. He facilitates the offense, and Denver's resurgence can, in large part, be attributed to him.

Advantage: Billups.

Billups has to be the winner of this match between Kidd and himself, as Kidd cannot play any kind of defense that can stop Billups, and "Mr. Big Shot" Billups is still in his prime, while J-Kidd is not.

Both teams have emotional, yet skillful shooting guards in Jason Terry and J.R. Smith.

Both Terry (19.6 points) and J.R. (14.9) come off the bench, providing instant offense and great athleticism. 

Smith can hit three-pointers with the best of them (.392), recently passing Dale Ellis for third in three-point makes in Denver Nuggets history. Terry is able to shoot the three as well (.362), but can be streaky at times.

Don't think Smith's game revolves around the three though, he can make cuts on a dime, and drive to the hoop quickly. J.R. has the ability to hang in the air and make seemingly impossible shots.

Both Terry and Smith will have a big impact on the outcome of this series, being the second and third leading scorers on their teams respectively, and whichever guard can stay in control will help his team the most.

Advantage: Push.

Intangibles

Josh Howard, at 18.1 points per game, Antoine Wright (7.5 points), Eric Dampier (6.9 rebounds) and backups Brandon Bass, and Jose Barea, will all impact this series for Dallas, though how much remains to be seen.

Howard, an all-star in his own right, will get his points for sure, especially when matched up against Anthony. Dampier, the Mavs' starting center, will have a difficult time with the younger and more athletic Nene, and look for Nene to pound a few Brazilian tomahawk jams on him in the series.

For the Nuggets, Nene (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds per game), Kenyon "K-Mart" Martin (11 points), Chris "Birdman" Andersen, and Anthony Carter must all play well for Denver to win this series.

Nene, Denver's starting center, is having a career year and seems fully recovered from testicular cancer a year ago. K-Mart is all healed up, and has been playing great physical defense all year.

Birdman is still second in the league in blocks per game behind Dwight Howard, and he comes off the bench, averaging less than 20 minutes per!

Anthony Carter, the Nuggets' backup point guard is quite apt in the role, passing well and controlling the game when Billups needs a breather.

Overall, I have to give the Nuggets the advantage in intangibles, as their bench is much deeper, filled with athletic and talented players who have the desire to win.

Denver won the season series 4-0, and will continue those winning ways going into the playoffs if they do indeed face Dallas. However, the Mavs are playing better ball than the Jazz right now, proving they want to play Denver, not LA. The Nuggets are the hottest team in basketball right now though, winning eight straight, and 13-14.

If the battle of "Big D" is to take place, Denver will win 4-2. The games will be tight, but the Nuggets are a better, more athletic, and more complete team when all is said and done.