The series of suspenseful matches continues for the Mavericks, with the same result, a defeat at the last minute. Only, after losing against three big names from the West (Suns, Nuggets and Warriors), Jason Kidd's players were this time dominated in Utah (115-113), the team expected at the bottom of the table. This setback risks sticking in their throats, even if they may have regrets beyond their “money time”.
The debates were balanced in the first period, even with Dallas deprived of Kyrie Irving for shoulder pain. The evening back line Luka Doncic – Quentin Grimes works well (33 points between them at half-time) with a nice 56.4% shooting. But the Mavericks let too many balls slip away and Utah took advantage of it to obtain 15 easy points and stay behind the Texans.
Too easy, the visitors paid for it when they returned from the locker room, caught by the throat by the aggressiveness of Jazz. Dereck Lively II penalized by fouls, Dallas is impoverished under the circle, and the “tall ball” proposed by Will Hardy with Lauri Markkanen at post 3 works to the fullest. The Finn seconds an unleashed John Collins in the third quarter for a striking contrast of activity: 16 rebounds to 7, 9 assists to 4. Luka Doncic saves the furniture with 14 of his team's 21 points in the third quarter, but the Jazz made the difference (99-85).
Luka Doncic falls asleep at the worst time
It is also without its Slovenian star that Dallas returns to the game with a renewed defensive intensity. Naji Marshall is in all the good shots, and the Mavericks stick a 9-0 from the start of the fourth act to get closer to the score, then a new 12-2 to equalize on the first shot made by Luka Doncic in the period at two minute of the buzzer.
The Jazz are in reverse for a while, losing more balls than they take shots. But Jordan Clarkson keeps his team alive and the locals keep control. John Collins gave his team a three-point lead with a slap dunk, but Klay Thompson, barely back in the game after a long spell on the bench, responded from afar to equalize less than 30 seconds from time.
The last two possessions will cause a lot of talk, and not in a good way, about Luka Doncic, guilty above all of a defensive oversight by cadets on John Collins unmarked behind his back, then who releases the last shot to Naji Marshall in the corner, while the latter does not score a 3-point this season. The Delta Center can rejoice.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Fourth end of the match lost for Dallas. The chorus will end up seriously annoying the Mavericks. Crucified by Steph Curry on Tuesday, by Michael Porter Jr on Sunday and by Jusuf Nurkic last Friday, the Mavericks this time weighed themselves down by their lack of investment in the third quarter, then by the last 40 seconds missed by Luka Doncic. This is starting to do a lot, with now seven defeats in twelve matches for the outgoing finalist.
– First victory at home for Jazz this season. Salt Lake City fans had to be a little patient with their young team, beaten in their first five games at home. This victory against the Mavericks is deserved, with six players above ten points. The only bad news of the evening was the new injury exit of Lauri Markkanen, hit by a blow to the face in the middle of the fourth quarter.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
