Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 24/04/2022, 18:32  by Joseph King | Modified on 25/04/2022 at 01:32 in Basketball Predictions

The first round of the NBA Playoffs rolls on with this game five matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz in the Western Conference. The Jazz were able to tie the series up at 2-2 thanks to a Rudy Gobert game winning alley-oop with 11 seconds remaining in a 100-99 home victory. The Mavericks welcomed back star point guard and all pro Luka Doncic back into the lineup in game four after the Slovenian superstar missed the first three games of the series with a calf strain. Dallas played excellent basketball in his absence, with Jalen Brunson in particular the driving force for the 2-1 lead that the Mavs built up while Doncic recuperated. The oddsmakers have the Mavericks as slight favorites for game five with the series heading back to Dallas. 

Doncic played pretty well in his return although he certainly wasn’t at his best despite putting up 30 points and 10 rebounds. The three-time all star is likely to have an improved game five as he gets back into the flow of playoff basketball. Even though the series is tied at two games a piece with each encounter being close, it feels as if Dallas have the Jazz figured out and could break this series open at any moment. The Mavs have done an excellent job this series at containing the Jazz offense which was ranked first in the NBA in the regular season and have been giving star Utah center Rudy Gobert nightmares with their offensive scheme, exploiting the 7 foot Frenchman's lack of perimeter defense. With Dallas having a game to adjust to Doncic back in the lineup and seconds away from a 3-1 series lead, expect them to respond strongly in front of their own fans in this one.