Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz Picks and Predictions October 28th 2024

Mavericks vs Jazz October 28th 2024

The Utah Jazz (0-2) are in Dallas to take on the Mavericks (1-1) in a Western Conference matchup. The game will be played at the American Airlines Center and tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 ET. The Mavericks are currently favored by 10.5 points and the over/under line is set at 233.5.

If you can’t make it to the game, you can catch it on KJZZ.

Jazz vs. Mavericks Key Information

The Jazz fell to 0-2 after a 127-86 loss to the Warriors on Friday. Utah was +6.5 point underdogs at home but failed to cover the spread, losing by 41 points. The total points for the game were 213, falling short of the 234.5 O/U line.

Golden State took control early with a 10-0 run, pushing the score from 19-13 to 29-13. Utah struggled to keep up, scoring 24, 18, 28, and 16 points in each quarter, while the Warriors put up 32, 24, 38, and 33 points.

In their 127-86 loss to the Warriors, the Jazz shot just 31.5% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range, hitting only 9 threes. John Collins led the way with 14 points, 9 of which came in the 3rd quarter.

Win Big with Proven NBA Strategies! Discover today’s best NBA Predictions Today.

Lauri Markkanen added 13 points despite shooting 23.5%, while Keyonte George and Collin Sexton each contributed 12 points. George hit 3 threes, shooting 37.5% from deep.

The Jazz defense struggled on Friday, giving up 127 points to the Warriors. They allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter and 38 in the 3rd, with Golden State shooting 48% from the field.

Utah also had trouble defending the three, as the Warriors hit 20 threes at a 40% clip. The Jazz sent Golden State to the line just 6 times, where they made 5 free throws. Defensively, Utah recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.

The Mavericks dropped to 1-1 on the season after a 114-102 loss to the Suns on Saturday. Dallas, who were -4.5 favorites, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points came in at 216, well below the O/U line of 231.

Dallas trailed 28-26 after the 1st quarter and were outscored 35-29 in the 2nd. They entered the 4th quarter down 91-80 and couldn’t mount a comeback, as the Suns edged them 23-22 in the final period.

In their 127-86 loss to the Warriors, the Jazz struggled offensively, shooting just 31.5% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range, hitting only 9 threes. John Collins led the team with 14 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 13 points, despite shooting just 23.5%.

Keyonte George contributed 12 points, knocking down 3 threes at a 37.5% clip. Collins scored 9 of his 14 points in the 3rd quarter, while George added 6 points in the opening period.

Defensively, the Mavericks gave up 114 points to the Suns, with their toughest stretch coming in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 35 points. They tightened up in the 4th, giving up just 23 points.

Dallas held Phoenix to 45% shooting, including 35% from three, where the Suns hit 14 threes. The Mavericks also sent the Suns to the line 37 times, where they made 28 free throws.

Not only do we have the Mavericks winning this one by a score of 149-132, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Mavericks at -10.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 233.5 and given that our model is projecting 281 points between the teams, we like the over.

Jazz Look for First Win of the Season in Road Matchup Against Mavericks

The Utah Jazz are still searching for their first win as they hit the road for the first time this season to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday evening. Coming off a 41-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, Jazz coach Will Hardy is focusing on mental adjustments, hoping to address team shortcomings that were glaring in their most recent defeat.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, started strong with a win over the Spurs but lost their momentum in a road loss to the Phoenix Suns. Here’s a closer look at what both teams will bring to the court.

Jazz Seek Urgency and Defensive Adjustments

In what was their second-worst home loss in franchise history, the Jazz were outplayed on both ends of the court in a 127-86 blowout by the Warriors. Rather than practice, Hardy directed the Jazz through an extensive film review, giving players a voice in assessing their performance. The team analyzed missed assignments, lack of urgency, and a concerning stat: no fouls in the third quarter, despite the Warriors putting up 38 points.

Hardy emphasized that without a competitive edge, the Jazz won’t be able to rely on individual star power to carry the load. “We don’t rely on one person to carry us, and so everybody has to do their job every day,” he said, urging players to bring a sense of urgency and compete at full intensity. Forward Lauri Markkanen leads the team with 24 points per game but will need more support as the Jazz aim to contain Dallas’ scoring powerhouse, Luka Doncic.

Mavericks: Fouling and Bench Production Woes

The Mavericks are coming off a 114-102 loss to the Suns, where they struggled with fouling and inconsistent offensive support beyond their top trio. Dallas allowed Phoenix 37 free-throw attempts, and the Suns capitalized with 28 points from the line. Head coach Jason Kidd noted that these frequent fouls disrupted the Mavericks’ rhythm, giving the Suns easy points and slowing down the flow of the game.

Despite the loss, the Mavericks continue to rely on Luka Doncic’s scoring prowess. Doncic posted a game-high 40 points and 10 rebounds in Phoenix, tying him with Atlanta’s Trae Young and Los Angeles’ Anthony Davis as the league’s top scorers at 34 points per game. Alongside Doncic, Kyrie Irving added 22 points and newcomer Klay Thompson contributed 19. But the Mavericks’ bench lacked impact, with no other player scoring above seven points—a gap that will need addressing if Dallas hopes to regain momentum.

Key Matchups to Watch

Lauri Markkanen vs. Mavericks Defense

Markkanen has been the primary scoring threat for Utah, averaging 24 points per game. However, he was held to just 13 points on 4-for-17 shooting against Golden State. If the Jazz are to bounce back, Markkanen will need to find his rhythm and make an impact against a Dallas defense that has shown susceptibility to high-scoring forwards.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving vs. Jazz Backcourt

Doncic and Irving combined for 62 points in the Mavericks’ previous game, and they will be looking to exploit Utah’s defense. With both players excelling at drawing fouls and penetrating defenses, Utah’s ability to contain Dallas’ dynamic backcourt will be crucial.

Join for Top Betting Strategies! Register Today.

Jazz’s Urgency vs. Mavericks’ Bench Depth

Hardy’s push for urgency and defensive engagement will likely shape the Jazz’s approach. However, the Mavericks’ bench production could be the deciding factor. If Dallas’ supporting cast steps up and scores effectively, the Jazz will face an uphill battle.

Outlook

Both the Jazz and Mavericks are coming off losses with different lessons learned. The Jazz are focusing on defensive engagement and competitive drive, while the Mavericks need more offensive depth and better foul management. This early-season matchup provides both teams a chance to implement improvements, with the Jazz aiming to avoid an 0-3 start and the Mavericks seeking to regain the momentum they had in their season opener.

In a game of adjustments, the winner will likely be the team that best executes its mental and tactical corrections from the previous matchup. For the Jazz, it’s about finding urgency and presence on defense, while the Mavericks will aim for disciplined play and offensive contributions from beyond their top three stars.