Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Preview
On Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks aim to consolidate their home advantage as they face the Utah Jazz for the second time this week. The teams previously met on Thursday, where Dallas triumphed with an impressive 144-122 win, marking their highest point total of the season. As of now, the Mavericks are considered 4.5-point favorites according to NBA betting lines.
Team Analysis
Analyzing the prior matchup reveals that although the Mavericks aren’t known for their offensive prowess—averaging 113.6 points per game, placing them 23rd in the league—the Jazz’s defensive shortcomings significantly boosted their scoring. Currently, Utah ranks as the worst defensive team in the NBA, allowing a staggering 127.4 points per game, and giving up a league-high shooting percentage of 49.3%. The Jazz’s inability to contain opponents includes a troubling 37.6% from beyond the arc, which sits second-worst in the NBA.
Recent Performance
In Thursday’s game, several factors contributed to Dallas’s remarkable scoring, including their 19-for-46 performance from the three-point line (41.3%). More crucially, they capitalized on 17 turnovers from Utah, converting those into 30 points. However, despite their recent success, Dallas may be operating without key players; Cooper Flagg and Daniel Gafford are listed as doubtful due to ankle injuries, while Anthony Davis continues to recover from a hand injury. Thankfully, Max Christie and P.J. Washington are probable to return after missing the prior encounter.
Utah, which boasts a strong scoring offense, currently ranks sixth in the league, will still be missing its star player, Lauri Markkanen, due to illness. Despite this setback, the Jazz’s scoring capabilities were still on display. Historically, the trends between these teams suggest a lower-scoring affair is likely, with seven of the last nine meetings ending under the total. Moreover, the Mavericks have gone under the total in six of their last eight games, suggesting a cooling-off period from the recent scoring frenzy.
Betting Predictions
For betting predictions, a compelling play appears to be on the under total of 241.5 points. Additionally, player prop bets could be interesting; Brice Sensabaugh, who recently surged to 27 points against Dallas, might face a regression, so betting the under on his 18.5 points seems prudent. Conversely, Klay Thompson has been dynamic lately, consistently making three-pointers against the Jazz, though betting on him to exceed 2.5 threes seems like a sound choice based on his current form.
Game Details
- Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Tip-off: 5:00 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: KJZZ, KFAA
- Odds: Dallas Mavericks -3.5; Utah Jazz +3.5; Over/Under at 241.5 points.
Historical Note
The Mavericks have dominated at home against the Jazz, winning their last eight encounters in Dallas.
Conclusion
In summary, while both teams have shown potential for scoring, the recent matchup trends and player absences will likely influence a more subdued outcome in this contest.
