Utah Jazz Week 19 Outlook: Jazz face grueling post-ASG slate

DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 13: Maximilian Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic #77 look on during the game against the Miami Heat on Febuary 13, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

2/23 Utah vs. Dallas

8:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 26-31

Season series: Jazz lead 2-1

At 26-31, the Dallas Mavericks aren’t anywhere close to a powerhouse and are almost certainly on their way to the lottery this season. Nevertheless, like most teams in the West, they’re still a squad that can’t be overlooked. The Jazz found that out the hard way when they fell to them in embarrassing fashion in the last meeting in Dallas by a score of 118-68.

With prolific rookie Luka Doncic leading the charge and an all-time great coach in Rick Carlisle, the Mavs are certainly a team capable of sneaking up on opponents. Shortly before the All-Star break, they did just that to the Portland Trail Blazers, so the Jazz will have to be aware.

That said, the Mavericks are a completely different team at home versus on the road. Within the American Airlines Center, they’re an incredible 20-9. That’s better than or equal to six of the seven teams immediately ahead of them in the standings. However, on the road, Dallas is an abysmal 6-22, better than only the lowly Phoenix Suns in the West.

Combine that with the fact that the Jazz will most assuredly be out for revenge after being embarrassed in the last meeting and I’m feeling confident that Utah will come out on top this time around. It is a back-to-back for both teams, with the Mavs travelling from Dallas to SLC and the Jazz travelling from OKC, so they’ll likely be facing similar situations in terms of travel and fatigue.

But the major difference is that the Jazz will be coming home whereas the Mavs will be heading into hostile territory where they’ve been terrible this year. That all sounds like a good formula for the Jazz, and I’m predicting them to perform and arise victorious accordingly.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 109, Dallas 92

I don’t know about you, Utah Jazz fans, but the All-Star break has felt quite long and I’m very much ready for the Jazz to be back in action. I have them going 1-1 in their first week back, but perhaps they’ll be ready to surge and start things off right with a 2-0 Week 19 following the break. Let’s hope that such will be the case.