NBA Basketball Matchup: Dallas vs Utah
Not much was expected of the Utah Jazz coming into this year, but they are 9-4 and right in the middle of the hunt in the Western Conference.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz
10:30 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NBA Betting Favorite: Jazz -2.5
Over/Under: 184
On the other side, Dallas is coming off an NBA Championship, but they haven’t found the rhythm yet this year. Utah is favored in this one, but I fully expect this to be a close battle all the way.
The Mavericks came up big in the postseason last year. Dirk Nowitzki led the team to a huge NBA Finals win over the Heat. Nowitzki’s numbers are down significantly so far this year, but I wouldn’t count on them staying down. He is hitting only 18% from beyond the arc so far this season. Expect Dirk to get it going again in the coming weeks. Lamar Odom was a big pickup for Dallas in the offseason, but he hasn’t been good at all so far this year. Odom is shooting just 31% and averaging only seven points per game. Odom needs to find his niche with this team. Vince Carter is expected to miss this game with a foot injury. The Mavericks have been staying in most games because of their solid defense. Dallas is allowing only 88.5 points per game. Offensively, the Mavericks must improve their efficiency. As a team, Dallas is shooting just 43% from the floor.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Utah Jazz were 1-3 with three blowout losses after four games, but they have won eight of nine since that time. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson form a very nice tandem in the frontcourt for the Jazz. Both of these guys can score in the paint or step out and knock down an open jumper. Josh Howard has added another play maker to the team’s roster as well. Howard will likely miss this game with a quadriceps injury. Gordon Hayward is showing flashes of brilliance, but he still needs some time to develop his game. Devin Harris is a good distributor at the point guard spot. Utah has only allowed over 100 points once in the last nine games. If this team stays focused on the defensive end, they could surprise quite a few people this season.
Utah has an impressive home court advantage, but I think Dallas will be ready as well. Look for this to be a defensive battle.
Prediction: Dallas 89 Utah 88
