Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (2/6/23)

The Dallas Mavericks visit the Utah Jazz in a Western Conference clash. The Mavericks made news for trading for Kyrie Irving, but are coming off a road loss to the Warriors. The Jazz are also coming off a home loss to the Hawks. This should be an interesting matchup in the West. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Betting Odds

The Utah Jazz are 9-point home favorites against the Dallas Mavericks and are at -380 on the money line. The over/under is also at 223. The Jazz being this much of a favorite makes sense because the Mavericks are missing a lot of players, from both injuries and due to the Kyrie Irving trade. The over/under also makes sense because both teams are very good on offense.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Prediction

The pick: Utah Jazz -9

The Jazz have been a bit of a surprise this year because they had no expectations. Now, they are hovering around the play-in game, which is a huge accomplishment.

Lauri Markkanen has been the best player for them. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding this year. He’s also the able to score from anywhere and plays on the wing sometimes, despite his size. Jordan Clarkson has also been very good as a starter this year. He’s been a great scorer behind Markkanen. Collin Sexton and Malik Beasley have also been difference makers off the bench and been productive when needed.

As a team, the Jazz excel more on offense than on defense. They are 4th in points scored at 117.6 points per game and are also top-10 in field goal percentage. They are also top-10 in rebounding too.

On the other side, the Mavericks have been good, but inconsistent. Everything they do revolves around Luka Doncic because he leads the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals per game. Since he’s not playing in this game, Christian Wood is the go-to player, with Tim Hardaway Jr. also expected to have a bigger role. Josh Green and Kemba Walker should have a bigger impact too.

As a team, the Mavericks are solid on both offense and defense. They are top-10 in points allowed.

The Jazz are the pick here because the Mavericks aren’t going to have Luka Doncic and are the road team. The Mavericks also just traded away a few players too, and are going to be depleted with depth. The Jazz should win here going away before Kyrie Irving gets to Dallas.

Betting Trends

Mavericks are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS win.

Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Key Matchups

Can Christian Wood matchup with Lauri Markkanen? Can Josh Green matchup with Jordan Clarkson?

Lauri Markkanen vs. Christian Wood

Lauri Markkanen has been great this year. He averages 25 points, 2 assists, and 9 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Christian Wood most of the game, who averages 18 points, 2 assists, and 8 rebounds per game for the season. Markkanen and Wood have both been very good this year, so this will be a great matchup. This is huge because with Doncic out, Wood will have to do more, and he has a tough matchup in Markkanen, so whoever gets an advantage here should win.

Jordan Clarkson vs. Josh Green

Jordan Clarkson has been very good this year for the Jazz. He averages 21 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Josh Green 8 points, 1 assist, and 2 rebounds per game for the season. Clarkson has been a great scoring guard and he has a tough matchup with Josh Green being very good on defense. This will be a big matchup because of how much offense Clarkson can account for, and what Green needs to do to defend him.

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Frank Ntilikina
SG: Josh Green
SF: Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF: Christian Wood
C: Dwight Powell

Utah Jazz Starting Lineups

PG: Mike Conley
SG: Jordan Clarkson
SF: Jarred Vanderbilt
PF: Lauri Markkanen
C: Kelly Olynyk

Key Injuries

Dallas Mavericks Injuries: PG Luka Doncic (Heel) O, PF Maxi Kleber (Hamstring) O

Utah Jazz Injuries: SF Jarred Vanderbilt (Back) Q