DENVER — Wednesday served as one of those crucial games where the Dallas Mavericks sure could have used the services of Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans and Maxi Kleber.

But all four players were out nursing injuries, and the Denver Nuggets used their manpower advantage to beat the Mavs, 118-109, at Ball Arena.

Coaches don’t like to use the absence of key players as a reason for a loss. However, without the exceptional talents of Irving, the shot-making of Hardaway and Bertans, and the interior defensive skills and shot-making of Kleber, the Mavs weren’t able to put their best foot forward against the highly regarded Nuggets.

“We miss everybody, but you’ve got to play with the guys that are suited up, and that’s just been part of the season for us,” coach Jason Kidd said. “We’ve had injuries like everyone else.

“It gives the next guy the opportunity to play and I thought those guys played hard tonight to put ourselves in a position to win.”

Luka Doncic did his best to keep the Mavs engaged, scoring 37 points, distributing nine assists and collecting four steals. But it wasn’t enough as the Mavs (31-29) enter the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak.

Here are the three takeaways from the nine-point loss to the Nuggets.Wood

WOOD WENT STREAKING: As the game was on the verge of completely getting away from the Mavs, Christian Wood knocked down more than his fair share of jumpers. From the 9:26 mark of the fourth quarter until 5:50 remained in the game, Wood got on such a hot streak that he scored 13 straight points for the Mavs. His last two points got the Mavs within 105-95 of the Nuggets. Wood wound up with 17 points in just 22 minutes on 6-of-13 shots.

YOUNG KIDS DID THEIR THING: A trio of Mavs’ young players, McKinley Wright IV, A.J. Lawson and Jaden Hardy, helped rally the team and get Dallas back in the game. Wright finished with 11 points and four assists in 13 minutes and was 4-of-4 from the field. Lawson collected 10 points in 12 minutes and was 4-of-6 from the floor. And Hardy, who converted two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, added eight points in 25 minutes. After the game, coach Jason Kidd praised the young players for helping keep his team afloat.

JEFF GREEN HAPPENED: It seemed like every time the Mavs would make a run at the Nuggets, Denver forward Jeff Green would step up and interrupt that process. Indeed, Green had a major impact on this game early and often. Too early and too often for the Mavs’ liking. Coming off the bench, Green scored a team-high 24 points in just 26 minutes. He was 11-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-5 from beyond the three-point arc. Green produced 11 of his points in the third quarter.

Twitter: @DwainPrice

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