The Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz are tied at 1-1 in their regular-season series, which means this Sunday’s game between these Western Conference teams will determine the winner of their head-to-head in this campaign. Will the Mavericks extend their win streak to three games while sending Utah to a deeper dive into its downward spiral? Or, will Jazz hit the right notes on the court and come away with an upset victory?

Catch this game live on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 10:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Dallas Mavericks (11-8/4-5 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Kyrie Irving
  • Quentin Grimes
  • P.J. Washington
  • Naji Marshall
  • Dereck Lively II

Even without Luka Doncic, the Mavs continue to find ways to score a bunch of points. They scored 129 points in each of their last two outings, including in their 129-114 win over the New York Knicks at home last Thursday. With or without Doncic, whose availability for Sunday’s game against the Jazz carries a big question mark, the Mavs should be able to find their rhythm on offense. 

For one, the Jazz have one of the worst defenses in the NBA so far in the 2024-25 NBA regular season. Utah is 27th overall with 119.2 points allowed per game. Pressure isn’t part of the Jazz defense’s vocabulary, with Utah ranking last in the NBA in defensive turnover rate (10.3%) and opponents turnovers per game (10.1). Dallas beat the Jazz on Oct. 29 at home, 110-102, with Irving leading the Mavs’ attack with 23 points. Interestingly, Doncic and Klay Thompson combined for just 33 points on a salty 12-for-37 shooting, but the Mavs are still seventh in the NBA with 117.5 points per game.

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Home: Utah Jazz (4-14/2-7 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Keyonte George
  • Collin Sexton
  • Lauri Markkanen
  • John Collins
  • Walker Kessler

The Jazz are not playing sweet music. They are one of the worst teams in the league with just four wins through 18 games. Utah also enters Sunday’s game on the heels of back-to-back losses to the San Antonio Spurs (128-115) and Denver Nuggets (122-103) last Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. It is worth mentioning, though, that Lauri Marrkanen and John Collins did not play in the Nuggets game for different reasons. 

But against the Mavs, the pair are expected to play, a great sign for Utah, which defeated Dallas at home on Nov. 15, 115-113. Collins was the star of the show in that contest for the Jazz, as he stuffed the stat sheets with 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. All the other starters chipped in at least 13 points as well, including Markkanen, who had 13 points. For what it’s worth, the Jazz have won seven of their last 10 games as a home team against the Mavericks, dating back to 2020.

Picks

Spread: Dallas Mavericks (-7.0)

Over/Under: Over (233.0)

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