Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks: NBA Playoffs Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/18/2022

Western Conference First Round, Game 2 -- Jazz lead best-of-7 series 1-0

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Where to watch: NBA TV

DraftKings: Jazz -5

BetMGM: Jazz -5.5

Caesars: Jazz -5.5

Going into Game 2 of this series between the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks, you are on one of two sides of this spectrum. To be completely honest, you can make an argument for either or and not be wrong in any fashion.

You can be on the extreme side and think that the Mavericks had as good a chance as any to win Game 1 despite not having Luka Doncic. The offense just ran out of gas down the stretch and couldn’t make shots when needed, and despite Donovan Mitchell going off in the second half, they were only down by 1 late in the fourth quarter.

Or you could think that because the Mavs didn’t do enough down the stretch that this series will be over fairly soon if Doncic doesn’t return soon. And if the Mavs don’t have Doncic back and tie this first-round series at a game apiece Monday at American Airlines Center, this might be over when it shifts to Utah this week.

I will veer on the cautious side of optimism and say the Mavs will have a better outing in Game 2, with or without their superstar, and tie the series heading to Salt Lake City. Why? Because some just love to watch the world burn. And why wouldn’t you?

The Mavs are getting 5.5 points at most books for this matchup and the way they played defense on Mitchell and Rudy Gobert – and somehow only lost by six – is the most encouraging sign. Spencer Dinwiddie acknowledged if he made his free throws, a rare mistake for him, Dallas could’ve pulled off the slight upset.

But the key for the Mavs is getting a body on Bojan Bogdanovic, who dominated at 1-on-1 ball with 26 points. He took advantage of every switch, of every mismatch and owned the Dallas defense while Mitchell failed to find his groove in the first half.

"I came out a little too passive (early), and in the same respect, Bojan was rolling," Mitchell said. "I didn't feel like I was out of control, Bojan had it going ... The second half, I came out in attack mode."

Indeed he did with his game-high 32 points, but the Mavs can argue – and any spectator would argue – that he had a tough going. Expect more of the same in Game 2 with Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock switching roles and taking their turns on defense.

Jalen Brunson led the Mavs with 24 points while Dinwiddie had 22, but the missed free throws did come back to haunt Dallas. They went 26 of 34 at the line, leaving eight potential points on the board, especially the six from Dinwiddie, that ruined the opportunity. Guarantee if Dallas gets another chance, they’re likely going to keep it real close or somehow find a way to win.

"Think about it: We lost by six, I missed six free throws. We're right there. If anything, this should be encouraging for our fan base in my opinion," Dinwiddie said. "Give them credit. They went out there and won the game. ... With them having their two best scorers both go for 30 basically and still hold them under 100, overall I think there's a lot of room for optimism."

And that’s why I feel confident with Dallas.

Keep your same game plan intact, and I fully believe that the points will come the other way. Dallas got by with their defensive transition all year long, and although Luka was the beneficiary of that kind of play, I have no doubt this group will learn from their mistakes and give Luka a chance to come back into this series tied at a game apiece. I don’t think Dallas is in any position to think otherwise. Mavs by 7

Jazz are 8-19 ATS this season after winning three of their last four games.

Jazz are 43-45 ATS the past three seasons as a road favorite.

Mavs are 15-17 ATS this season as an underdog and 4-7 ATS as a home dog.

Mavs are 29-17 ATS after winning four or five of their last six.

PG: Mike Conley

SG: Donovan Mitchell

SF: Bojan Bogdanovic

PF: Royce O'Neale

C: Rudy Gobert

PG: Spencer Dinwiddie

SG: Jalen Brunson

SF: Reggie Bullock

PF: Dorian Finney-Smith

C: Dwight Powell

Jazz: None

Mavs: Luka Doncic (calf, out), Maxi Kleber (ankle, out), Tim Hardaway Jr. (foot, out)