Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks odds, starters, injury report, predictions

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks (Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports)
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks (Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports)

The Utah Jazz will try to bring home a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Following the No. 5 seed Utah Jazz’s 99-93 road win in Saturday’s Game 1 of the best-of-seven first-round series, the No. 4 seed Dallas Mavericks fell to 8-10 this season when Luka Doncic is out of commission.

Entering Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs clash in Dallas, the Jazz may have a chance to make that an 8-11 mark for the Mavericks without their three-time All-Star forward. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon, Doncic is once again unlikely to play as he recovers from a strained left calf.

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game 2 Odds

WynnBet has the Jazz as a 5.5-point favorite. The over/under sits at 205.5 points.

Utah Jazz Starting Lineup Tonight

Utah will probably roll out its standard starting five: Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert.

Utah Jazz Injury Report

The Jazz’s bill of health remains almost spotless. Except for reserve guard Trent Forrest, who is working his way back from a left midfoot sprain, every member of Utah’s deep rotation appears fully healthy for Game 2.

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game 2 Prediction

Here at The J-Notes, we predicted a higher-scoring affair in Game 1 than what ultimately transpired. One explanation for the low point total was the frigid first-half shooting from Utah sensation Donovan Mitchell, not to mention the frequent bricklaying from several others.

The two teams combined to shoot 16-for-54 (29.6 percent) beyond the arc for the game. Chalk up many of the misses to playoff jitters and the heightened perimeter defense from both parties.

Now, it’s reasonable to think “Playoff Don” and the Jazz will build on their Game 1 escape by putting up a point total that more closely reflects the majority of their contests. Consider that Utah games in the regular season averaged 221.2 combined points.

With that in mind, despite the assumption that Luka Doncic won’t be on the floor, expect slightly higher scores in Game 2 than on Saturday. Also, it could be a more comfortable Utah victory as the Jazz capitalize on their clear advantage when it comes to healthy star-quality pieces.

Prediction: Jazz 109, Mavericks 95

Make your pick now on WynnBET.

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game 2 TV Channel

Game 2 between the Jazz and Mavericks airs on NBA TV at 6:30 p.m. MT Monday.

Utah Jazz Next Game

Game 3 takes place in Salt Lake City and tips off at 7:00 p.m. MT Thursday.

Stay tuned to The J-Notes for more Utah Jazz news and views.