Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks odds, starters, injury report, predictions
By Matt Giles
Will the Utah Jazz ever show playoff intensity versus the Dallas Mavericks?
The No. 5 seed Utah Jazz and No. 4 seed Dallas Mavericks will again face off in Salt Lake City. This time, it is Saturday’s Game 4 of the teams’ best-of-seven first-round NBA Playoffs series.
Currently, the Mavericks lead the series, 2-1, following their 126-118 road win on Thursday night. As the Jazz entered the locker room with a 17-point halftime deficit, it sounded as if almost every Vivint Arena patron was booing the home team off its floor.
In other words, frustrations are prevalent and growing in Utah these days.
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game 4 Odds
Somehow, according to WynnBet, Utah is a 6.0-point favorite. The over/under sits at 212.5 points.
Utah Jazz Starting Lineup Tonight
Unless head coach Quin Snyder opts to send a message by shaking things up, the Jazz will likely roll out their standard starting five of Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
Udoka Azubuike (right ankle surgery) remains out for the season. Meanwhile, Trent Forrest (left foot sprain) is still out of commission.
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game 4 Prediction
For months, the Jazz’s effort level has been lacking, especially on the defensive end when “guarding” the 3-point line. And their sluggish play has officially become an issue against the Mavericks.
Dallas hasn’t even had the services of its best player, three-time All-Star forward Luka Doncic (sprained left calf), yet has gained control of the series despite being the underdog in all three games.
As StatMuse suggested via a tweeted stat on Friday, the Utah woes may center on Donovan Mitchell’s inability or unwillingness to adequately contest the Mavericks’ shots. So far in these playoffs, Dallas players “are shooting 11 percent better than their normal field goal percentage when guarded by Donovan Mitchell.”
It’s safe to say the Jazz star isn’t setting a good example for his teammates on defense.
As a whole, Utah has given little reason for optimism lately in the give-a-hoot department, outside of seemingly empty promises about flipping some imaginary switch.
Meanwhile, Doncic said on Friday that he’s “optimistic” about returning for Game 4.
Uh-oh, this could get even uglier for the booing Jazz crowd.
Prediction: Dallas 120, Utah 109
Make your pick now on WynnBET.
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game 4 TV Channel
Game 4 is on TNT at 2:30 p.m. MT Saturday.
Utah Jazz Next Game
Game 5, which takes place back in Dallas, tips off on TNT at 7:30 p.m. MT Monday.
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