SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — It was a tough night in Salt Lake City for the Mavericks losing to the Jazz 116-104. This loss wasn’t because of the Mavericks inabilities, but more of a rhythm factor. It should be expected that the Mavericks would need to find their footing again since 3 key players returned to the lineup tonight after missing 9 games due to Covid 19 health and safety protocol. Teams have a certain chemistry that has to be built and when it’s disrupted it could take time for new chemistry to settle in.
It was a less than ideal start for the Mavericks on offense, finishing the first quarter shooting 42% from the field and shooting 14% from beyond the arc. Dallas struggled in the defensive department and the Jazz took advantage of the Mavericks porous defense. Dallas continued the trend of trailing at the end of the first quarter, but this time it was to a team that won 9 straight and were doing so without their star Donovan Mitchell.
On the offensive end the Mavericks were plagued by ball security issues, lost the battle on the boards, and struggled on the defensive end of the floor. The Jazz shot 53% from the field converting most of their shots in the belly of the Dallas defense. The Jazz couldn’t be stopped in the paint, and Dallas struggled to answer. Dallas began to score on offense and got into rhythm in the latter part of the second quarter but by that time the Jazz developed a comfortable lead.
Utah was just more efficient offensively and everything the Mavericks threw at the Jazz, they answered immediately. The Mavericks trailed the Jazz at halftime by 21 points which is the largest deficit Dallas has faced this season. The lead the Mavericks faced was substantial and the way the Jazz were getting after it the more it seemed like a pipe dream for the Mavericks to cut the Jazz’s deficit.
This was not an opponent the Mavericks wanted to play catchup with. The Jazz is the top rated team in all offensive categories and they showcased why they are. Nothing the Mavericks did could subside the momentum the Jazz built throughout the game. The Mavericks knocked down 54% of their shots which was their best performance in a quarter up until that point, but the Jazz were just as efficient making 56% of their shots from the floor and 57% from three.
The Mavericks made the game semi-interesting in the fourth quarter getting hot at times stealing the ball on defense and converting on the other end, but the Jazz lead was far too large to overcome. The Mavericks (45%) had a better shooting performance than the Jazz (25%) in the fourth quarter, but the amount of made shots wasn’t enough to bring the Mavericks back.
The good news is although the Mavericks lost, all Dallas can do is find their rhythm and complete their road trip with a win against the Jazz again on Friday, and then head back to the Metroplex to begin their lengthy home stand.
