Luka Back To Lead the Way
Luka Doncic will take the floor for the first time at home in this first-round series after having made his return from a calf strain in that Game 4 loss at Utah.
The Jazz managed to steal a 100-99 win on their home floor and keep this series level, but things were again far from convincing from a team tinkering on the edge of implosion.
Let’s check the latest NBA Picks, stats, injury reports, and NBA Odds for Jazz vs Mavericks. We’ve plenty of NBA Playoffs Odds for you to consider.
Things Still Not Right In Utah
Despite the series being level, there’s a real sense of unrest amongst the Utah Jazz these playoffs and many believe it will be their final playoff run together as a result.
The Jazz certainly have the pieces to be a threat in the playoffs but the relationship between key players has left them looking like the worst possible versions of themselves when it matters most.
Despite escaping with a win in Game 4 it seems clear that Dallas is the more coherent team in this series and with Doncic now having a game under his belt things are only going to get more difficult from here.
The Jazz led by 16 points in the second quarter but had all their good work come undone midway through the third period as they again failed to deal with the Mavs perimeter shooting.
Utah has been a top-tier perimeter defense for the past few seasons now, but things have certainly dropped off in dramatic fashion over the last six months at that end of the floor.
It’s those inconsistencies that continue to arise within each individual game and unless they figure out a way to get everyone on the same page together they mightn’t have much longer together as a team.
Mavs Need to Be Clinical
A lot of the attention is understandably on Utah’s shortcomings so far in this series, especially while Doncic was out. There’s no denying that the Game 4 loss for the Mavs was entirely on their shoulders.
Utah led 99-95 with less than 90 seconds to play, but a pair of missed jump shots followed by a pair of missed free throws from Dwight Powell saw them surrender the lead and the win ahead of a pivotal Game 5.
Coach Jason Kidd chose to be positive about the situation after the game.
“We were down 12 at the half and we stayed the course, and it comes down to the last possession. If you’re on the road in the playoffs and it comes down to the last play, you can’t ask for a better situation,” said Kidd after the game.
While the team will be better positioned going forward now the Doncic is back they also don’t have the luxury of time to figure things out. This series has become a best of three from here and it could ultimately be decided by which team can stay most consistent for the majority.
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Head-to-Head
The Jazz were 100-99 winners in Game 4, but failed to cover the spread once again after closing as 5½ point favorites.
Dallas is 4-0 against the spread (ATS) so far but will enter Game 5 as favorites for the first time.
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game Information
- Game: Utah Jazz (49-33) vs Dallas Mavericks (52-30)
- Location: American Airlines Center
- Day/Time: Monday, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Betting Lines
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
This series has seen all four games hang in the balance in the clutch moments of the fourth quarter and it’s difficult to argue against that being the case again in this one.
While Doncic’s presence is a huge boost for Dallas it also changes their offensive style and the ISO ball down the stretch goes against what has worked for the Mavs so far this season.
Utah is still a good halfcourt defense and slowing things to the point where you’re executing your play in the final few moments of the shot clock only boosts the impact that the Jazz defense can have in contesting and denying good looks at the basket.
There’s a very good chance this series comes back to this arena for a Game 7 and an equal chance that the underdog keeps covering the line to match.
If you’re looking to bet online in this game, take the points on the road team.
