1 Key Player to Watch as Jazz Face Mavericks to Kick Off the New Year
The Utah Jazz are wasting no time getting back to business for the new year, set to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night with hopes to start 2024 with a W. However, against a squad led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, securing such a win is much easier said than done.
Doncic and Irving’s status remains in question ahead of tonight’s game, with both listed on the pre-game injury report. However, if one or both end up hitting the floor, it drastically amplifies the responsibility of a member of the Jazz backcourt.
That player is none other than the 2016 lottery selection, Kris Dunn. He’s recently found a consistent role in the starting rotation, ultimately leading to the Jazz winning seven of their last ten. For Utah to get continued success in the wins column, Dunn will have to be a significant component of this unit, especially against Dallas.
Dunn is easily the best perimeter defender on this Utah roster as the team currently stands. A player with such a role and skillset becomes vital when up against a prestigious backcourt like the Mavericks’.
We’ve seen as recently as this season how dominant Luka can be against the Jazz. I mean. he put up a triple-double within the first two quarters in their first matchup in early December. He finished that game with an astounding 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists en route to a 50-point blowout.
That performance simply cannot happen again if the Jazz want to come out on top for this one.
It effectively puts the spotlight on Dunn being the one to limit this backcourt’s explosiveness. Of course, you can’t expect to completely shut down a talent like Doncic, but you can at least contain him.
Through 25 games played this season, Dunn has averaged 5.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 45.3/35.1/68.8 splits. While his impact may not jump off the stat sheet, best believe he’s taking on routine and nightly tough, defensive assignments to contribute as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.
If we see Doncic and/or Irving ruled out for this one, it makes his and the entire Jazz team’s task a whole lot easier. That may end up as a game-time decision, though. Kyrie has been sidelined since December 8th with an ankle injury, while Luka has only missed three games.
As long as Utah can produce an improved offensive attack from their last game against Dallas (97 points scored, 40.2% FG), we can at least expect a much better fight than what was showcased in the blowout earlier this season. The Jazz and Mavericks will tip off at 7 PM MT.
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