The Denver Nuggets suffered an upset against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday in a 131-121 loss. Dallas stayed consistent throughout the four quarters while Denver suffered some lapses in scoring in the the second and fourth quarters that ultimately sunk them.

While no one can deny the overpowering offense of the Nuggets, they are the best team in the NBA when it comes to points per game after all, but their occasional defensive struggles have proved to be the chink in their armor at times that has sunk them in the times that their offense hasn't been able to keep up. 

One of the issues that's arisen when it comes to how dominant the Nuggets' offense has been is that such confidence in the team's scoring ability can breed a lackadaisical mindset defensively. 

Scoring Too Well Can Be a Curse

"We get up so quickly we feel the game is easier than it is and it's going to stay that way and so we kind of take the pressure off," Spencer Jones said (via Nuggets). "It's just that mindset of staying focused throughout it, because we know we're so talented and it's great to have that confidence. But, sometimes that can turn into arrogance."

Head coach David Adelman cited a lack of physicality on the defensive end from the Nuggets as the primary reason that his team hasn't been able to contain opposing teams, and that's something his players are aware of as well, especially against the Mavericks.

"We let  [Ryan] Nembhard get a little too comfortable. I could have pressured him a lot more. He's coming off screens, getting to his spots. Almost like a player development workout with the space he had," Jones said. "That starts with a lot of us defenders, that's why I'm in there is to make guys uncomfortable, get them off their spots. But, they seemed to be getting their spots at will."

Jones' Presence as a Two-Way Threat

Jones has been known mostly for his defensive contributions on the court, but he's been emerging as an offensive threat as well. He scored a career-high 28 points against the Mavericks and has shot 4-6 from three point range in each of his last two games. 

He credited the confidence his teammates have shown him by passing to him throughout the game as a major factor in not only him shooting more often, but making it in more often as well.

"It's nice to see the guys continually passing it to me and trusting in me," Jones said. "I know I have the confidence to shoot it. I've been a great three point shooter throughout my years... in college. It's just getting over that mental hump of being in the NBA and I think I'm past that and it's great. Now, team's are going to have to respect it."