SALT LAKE CITY – Let’s hope the Utah Jazz have a short memory and a forgiving nature.
If they dwell much on the 50-point beatdown the Mavericks put on them on Dec. 6 in Dallas, their payback instincts no doubt will kick in.
The Mavericks won 147-97 at American Airlines Center last month. Luka Dončić had a 40-point triple-double and the Mavericks were comfortably ahead after the first quarter.
But as the calendar turns, things have changed. Don’t expect this one to be that easy. The Mavericks will finish a three-game trip that spanned 2023 and 2024 hoping to go 2-1 after dropping the opener in Minnesota and winning at Golden State on Saturday.
The Jazz have played 19 of their first 33 games on the road and their record reflects accordingly (14-19), but they have won four of their last five, including Saturday’s 117-109 victory over Miami at the Delta Center.
In that game, the Jazz got 22 points from Collin Sexton and 21 from rookie Keyonte George from Baylor and Lewisville.
Heres what else to look for as the Mavericks wrap up a three-game trip on New Year’s Day.
- The Mavericks may have Kyrie Irving back for the first time since Dec. 8. He’s been upgraded to questionable. He was out at Minnesota and doubtful at Golden State to start this trip. He has been out since injuring his right heel on Dec. 8 at Portland. Also questionable for the Mavericks: Luka Dončić with left quad soreness, Dante Exum with right heel contusion and Seth Curry with an illness. Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) remains out.
- The Mavericks have not been very successful in Salt Lake City, owning a 24-71 record at the Jazz’s arena, although they did split the two meetings there last season.
- One of the Jazz’s assistant coaches is Jason Terry, who was the sixth man on the Mavericks’ 2011 NBA championship team.
- Lauri Markkanen leads the Jazz in scoring at 23.5 points per game and 8.7 rebounds. He’s shooting a solid 37 percent from three-point land.
- Jordan Clarkson has been one of the NBA’s best sixth men for years, but he’s been starting more often than not for the Jazz this season, and averaging 16.9 points and 5.1 assists while doing so.
- Italian Simon Fontecchio had 12 points and seven rebounds in the win over Miami and has been a solid contributor both starting and off the bench in his second season.
MAVERICKS (19-14) at UTAH JAZZ (14-19)
- When/where: 8 p.m. Monday, Delta Center, Salt Lake City.
- TV: Bally’s Sports Southwest.
- Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish).
X: @ESefko
Share and comment