Dallas Mavericks On a Winning Streak, Utah Jazz Struggling to Find Form

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz: Mavericks Riding Momentum, Jazz Struggling to Stay Afloat

The Dallas Mavericks (11-8) will look to continue their hot streak when they visit the struggling Utah Jazz (4-14) on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Tip-off is set for 9:30 PM ET. This will be the third and final meeting of the regular season between the two teams, with both having secured a win on their respective home courts in the earlier matchups.

The Mavericks are on an impressive run, having won six of their last seven games, while the Jazz continue to face difficulties, having lost six of their last seven contests. Let’s break down the current form of both teams and what to expect from this Western Conference showdown.

Dallas Mavericks: Riding High Without Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks are heating up and making a strong push for playoff positioning in the West. After a tough overtime loss to the Miami Heat (123-118) a week ago, the Mavericks have bounced back with back-to-back wins over the Atlanta Hawks (129-119) and the New York Knicks (129-114). Notably, the Mavs achieved this success even without their superstar, Luka Doncic, who has missed the last four games due to a wrist injury and is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s matchup.

Despite Doncic’s absence, the Mavericks have found ways to thrive, thanks in large part to the standout play of Kyrie Irving. Over the past three games, Irving has been on fire, averaging 27.3 points and 6.0 assists per game. He’s taken on a bigger role in the offense and has helped keep the Mavs competitive during this stretch.

In their most recent win over the Knicks, the Mavericks shot an impressive 56.5% from the field and 51.5% from three-point range (17-for-33), displaying their offensive depth. Six Mavericks players scored in double figures, with Naji Marshall leading the way with 24 points. Marshall, who has stepped up in recent games, is averaging 22.0 points per game over his last three contests and will be a key contributor again if Doncic is sidelined.

P.J. Washington has also been consistent for Dallas, and he will be aiming for his fifth consecutive double-double on Saturday. While the Mavs are dealing with injuries to some key players like Klay Thompson (plantar fascia) and Daniel Gafford (illness), the team’s offensive cohesion has been impressive.

Utah Jazz: Injuries and Inconsistency Hampering Performance

In contrast to the Mavericks’ momentum, the Utah Jazz have struggled to find consistency, particularly with a long list of injuries impacting their rotation. After snapping a four-game losing streak with a 121-106 win over the New York Knicks last Saturday, the Jazz have dropped their last two home games, losing to the San Antonio Spurs (128-115) and the Denver Nuggets (122-103).

In their most recent loss to the Nuggets, the Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen (personal), Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis), John Collins (knee), and Kyle Filipowski (leg). Despite being shorthanded, Collin Sexton stepped up, scoring 26 points and dishing out four assists. However, the rest of the team was unable to keep pace with the Nuggets, who easily covered a 10.5-point spread.

Utah will be hoping to get some of their injured players back for the game against the Mavericks, especially Markkanen, Clarkson, and Collins, who are all listed as questionable. Markkanen, who is the team’s leading scorer with 19.5 points per game, would be a major boost to the Jazz’s chances, while Collins adds significant value both offensively (17.9 points per game) and on the boards (8.8 rebounds per game). Clarkson, who contributes 17.2 points per game, has been a steady scorer for the Jazz and is another key piece they desperately need on the floor.

The Jazz’s struggles have been compounded by their inability to maintain defensive consistency, ranking near the bottom in several key defensive metrics, including field goal defense and defensive rating. Without their key players, it’s been difficult for Utah to generate the scoring and defensive stops needed to stay competitive against stronger teams like the Mavericks.

Conclusion

Utah’s success in this matchup depends largely on whether they can get their key players back in time to face a high-powered Mavericks team. The Jazz are clearly a team in transition, struggling with injuries, and trying to find a rhythm without several of their core players. With Markkanen, Clarkson, and Collins all listed as questionable, their ability to compete with the Mavericks will depend heavily on whether they can get healthy and stay competitive.

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