SALT LAKE CITY – OK, now that that’s over with, let’s move along.

Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area was a glorious, memorable night, except for the outcome of the game.

So now, it’s time to turn the page and figure out how to fix what ails the Mavericks.

And, really, it’s not that hard, despite what their 5-6 record and three-game losing streak would suggest.

At times like this, fans need some reassurance. And we’re here for you.

Luka Dončić will regain his shooting eye. Klay Thompson will be fine, and his showing against his former team might be the jump start the Mavericks need. And as Dereck Lively II returns from his shoulder sprain, their interior play at both ends of the court should get better, too.

Lively came back at Golden State after missing four games and the Mavericks were better because of it.

“It (Lively’s presence) answers that question about energy and effort,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He checks the box. We definitely missed D-Live. It helps the bench.

“We’re happy that we’re getting healthy and trending in the right direction.”

They certainly need it. The Mavericks started this first extended trip of the season with two losses to two teams who figure to be heavily involved in the playoff action come April.

No shame in losing road games at Denver and Golden State, although the fact that both games came down to the final seconds is frustrating.

The Mavericks know they must work on their late-game execution. That will come with time.

Here’s what to look for on Thursday night when the Mavericks get back to business at the Utah Jazz.

  • Don’t sleep on the Jazz. Yes, they are 2-8, but they recently went 2-2 on the road and returned home to play Phoenix tough on Tuesday before losing 120-112. In that game they were down by 15 at the half, but made it close down the stretch.
  • The Jazz have suffered some tough injury luck with Taylor Hendricks (leg) out for the season and Walker Kessler out with a hip issue, leaving them short on big men.
  • The Jazz are led by John Collins (17.1 points), Lauri Markkanen (16.7) and Collin Sexton (15.7), but also have capable scorers in Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson. That said, they are dead last in the NBA in scoring at 105.7 points per game.
  • The Mavericks’ three-game losing streak is their longest since the middle of last season (although they did lost three in a row to the Celtics in the NBA Finals). They haven’t lost four in a row since March, 2023.
  • Though Luka’s three-point shooting has been lukewarm in the first 11 games (32.1 percent), his numbers are still outrageous. He’s averaging 28.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists. In addition, Kyrie Irving has posted averages of 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. “Luka had great looks that he normally makes,” Kidd said of Doncic’s 11-of-27 shooting (2-of-10 from deep) against the Warriors. “But that’s basketball. Sometimes you make them, sometimes you don’t. We’ll get better from this.”
  • This will be the finale of a three-game trip as the Mavericks look to avoid the sweep. They return home Saturday, briefly, to play San Antonio before playing the second half of that back-to-back at Oklahoma City.
  • The Mavericks are favored by 8 1/2 points and the over/under is 233.5 points.

 

MAVERICKS (5-6) at UTAH JAZZ (2-8)

WHEN: 8 p.m., Thursday

WHERE: Delta Center, Salt Lake City

TV: KFAA, NBA TV, Mavs StreamTV

RADIO: KEGL 97.1 FM, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @ESefko

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