The Dallas Mavericks got punched in the mouth Sunday afternoon in Denver.

The "Thuggets," as they're called, scratched, clawed, and even elbowed their way to a Game 1 blowout win, keyed by their gutty bench players, Anthony Carter, Chris "Birdman" Andersen, and J.R. Smith.

The Nuggets are an in-your-face, high energy, highly aggressive team that makes things happen as opposed to responding to what the other team is doing.

And they did just that Sunday.

I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the Mavs so far this postseason in the San Antonio series, but the question at hand is...

After that beatdown Sunday, will the Mavs get up and fight back?

And my honest answer is I don't know.

It took a valiant effort since January for the Mavs to even make the playoffs, much less climb out the 8th seed and win a first round series. But it will take their best effort of the season to respond to this loss, as Denver at first glance looks like more than the Mavs can handle.

What do you think?

Matt Griffin

KXII.com