The Dallas Mavericks (1-1) visit Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday to take on the Utah Jazz (1-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Mavericks at Jazz odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Mavericks enter the third game of the first-round Western Conference playoff series coming off their first win, covering as 5-point underdogs. They won 110-104 Tuesday behind 41 points from G Jalen Brunson.
Dallas has listed superstar G Luka Doncic as questionable with the spread implying he’s more of a doubtful as the MVP-level guard is recovering from a calf sprain. The Mavericks’ win may have bought him some extra time.
The Jazz are at full strength. They won the series opener 99-93, covering as 5.5-point favorite. Utah covered 6 of its last 8 regular-season games.
The Jazz are led by G Donovan Mitchell, who has been scoring at will this series, averaging 33 points per game. G Bojan Bogdanovic and G Jordan Clarkson are the only other Jazz players to score more than 15 points in a game this series.
Mavericks at Jazz odds and lines
- Money line: Mavericks +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Jazz -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +6.5 (-108) | Jazz -6.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Mavericks at Jazz key injuries
Mavericks
- G Tim Hardaway Jr. (foot) out
- G Luka Doncic (calf) questionable
Jazz
- None
Mavericks at Jazz picks and predictions
Prediction
Jazz 112, Mavericks 107
Money line
PASS.
Dallas is good enough to make this far from a walk in the park for Utah, and at -300, the Jazz’s money line has no value. Similarly, home-court advantage is a difference-maker, and Utah should win outright.