The Mavs come in off consecutive losses for the first time this season. On Monday, they were embarrassed in front of their fans by an 0-6 Kings team. In Wednesday's loss at San Antonio, Dallas trailed by 19 in the third quarter but fought hard to come back and cover the spread, outscoring the Spurs 60-44 after halftime. Through three weeks, Dallas has been outscored by 24 before halftime and has outscored opponents by 23 in the second half.
At 1-7 and with Jaren Jackson Jr. out, the Jazz are in yet another rebuild. Their season will be judged on getting their young core as many reps as possible. In Wednesday's loss at New Orleans, Keyonte George went for 39 points and nine assists and the Jazz put up 113 on just 11-of-47 from three. Second-year wing Ace Bailey and rookie Darryn Peterson were 1-of-14 from three. This is a young group that plays at the fourth-fastest pace in the league, and the shots will go up. Some of them should fall in Dallas.
Utah allows 119 points a game, ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency and has little rim protection with Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic out. Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba are in for a long night against Cooper Flagg, who is due for a bounce back after shooting 7-of-19 in San Antonio. Dallas has scored at least 113 in each of its four wins. Both teams had Thursday off, and last season's four meetings all went 230 or more. The total sits at 225.5, right where these two have been landing all year. I like the over.
Jazz vs Mavericks prediction: Over 225.5 (-113) available at time of publishing.
