Mavs vs. Jazz Preview: Dallas Attempts to Close Disappointing Homestand on High Note
Frustration spilled all over the court when Luka Doncic and Devin Booker inevitably clashed in the final seconds of the Dallas Mavericks' loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Losing at home to a bitter rival due to missing a shockingly-easy look at the rim would push even the most composed athlete to their boiling point. Doncic and Booker shared some words, which adds more fuel to the Mavs-Suns rivalry ahead of the postseason.
Moving on from the loss, but using that edge to come out strong, the Mavs now look to finish what has been a disappointing six-game homestand overall against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.
In their last matchup on Feb. 6, the Mavs bested the Jazz 124-111 without Doncic or Kyrie Irving. Josh Green and rookie Jaden Hardy combined for 58 points as the Mavs pushed the pace to an inspiring degree. With both of their stars in the lineup this time around, the Mavs must execute at that same level, if not more so, as they are now in a play-in tournament position with just 17 games remaining.
Every game is a must-win game in the West. Dallas is in no condition to "take nights off" or take opponents for granted. While the Jazz don't have the same collection of solid role players as they did before the trade deadline, they still have legitimate threats in Lauri Markkanen and stellar rookie big man Walker Kessler.
The Jazz have a 4-6 record in their last 10 games. However, even as they dip in the win-loss column, they also rank first league-wide in offensive rebounds per contest during the 10-game stretch, while the Mavs fall dead last. Kessler is a brick wall to the Mavs' paper plane regarding the ability to grab rebounds. The combination of Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, and Christian Wood should make a dent, but they aren't necessarily a depth chart of brute force either.
Without Doncic-stopper Jarred Vanderbilt on the roster, the Jazz have nothing else to throw at the Mavs' superstar backcourt. Another high-scoring affair is highly likely for these two defenseless teams. Regardless of the Jazz's woes, the Mavs must see them as a threat and move accordingly. Their playoff positioning depends on it.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks
- Maxi Kleber (Questionable - hamstring)
- JaVale McGee (Doubtfull - ankle sprain)
Utah Jazz
- Collin Sexton (OUT - hamstring)
- Walker Kessler (Questionable - non-Covid illness)
FUN FACT: When the Suns acquired Kevin Durant at the 2023 trade deadline, many assumed the worst for the league's parity. However, even with such a trade working counter to the Mavs' acquisition of Durant's former teammate, Irving, Dallas has a 6-6 record against the two-time NBA champion during the Doncic era.
PREGAME LISTEN:
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (33-32), Utah Jazz (31-34)
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 7, at 7:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: American Airlines Center, (Dallas, TX)
TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Mavs are a nine-point favorite over the Jazz.
NEXT UP: No rest for the Mavs as they travel south for a battle at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
FINAL WORD: Although Booker's late-game actions upset many a Mavs fan, it presented a much-needed aspect in the NBA: a bitter rivalry.
Doncic and Booker represent the old-school NBA regarding their basketball hatred for one another; even while smiling during the skirmish, nothing was funny about the encounter. It appeared as if the two were sickly plotting the basketball menace they wanted to spew in their next matchup. Thankfully, for basketball and Mavs fans alike, the two could face off in a highly-anticipated playoff rematch.
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