Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz betting tips and predictions for Monday’s NBA Western Conference Playoff game on TNT. Luka Doncic returned to the Mavs line-up, but the Jazz was able to pull one out at home and now the two teams face off in Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Dallas Mavericks
Despite the tight loss in Game 4, the Mavs will be happy with the fact that their leader and superstar Luka Doncic returned to the line-up. Not only did he return, but he look like he didn’t miss a beat as he scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. All 5 Mavs starters scored in double-figures, however, it wasn’t a very efficient night as they shot under 43% from the field.
Defences are tightening up as we get further into this series, Dallas will be happy that Game 5 is on their home court as they’ve covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 home games vs Utah. They’ve also beaten their last 14 of 17 Western Conference opponents overall. In his last 2 home games vs the Jazz, Doncic had 32 and 35 points.
Utah Jazz
It was a storybook ending to Game 4 for Utah as Donovan Mitchell lobbed an alley-oop pass to Rudy Gobert to put Utah in front by 1. We haven’t seen those two connect that often during the season as tensions are still high between them, even though head coach Quin Snyder is claiming otherwise.
Maybe that play is the start of something new for the Jazz, it doesn’t take you much to figure out that they are a much better team when their best offensive and defensive players get along. With the series now tied at 2-2, we are going into a pivotal Game 5 and whoever losses that game will be on the brink of elimination in the next game. The Jazz has covered the spread just 3 times in their last 15 on the road against Dallas.
Having the home crowd cheering them on will be a big deal for the Jazz here. They got the much needed split in Utah and now it’s time to take care of business at home. I think Doncic leads them to a big win here, so let’s back the home team to cover.
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz Predictions & Odds
I must say I am surprised with the projected total being set at 211.5 points after the two teams combined for just 199 in Game 4. The total has gone under 4 times in the last 6 meetings and the two teams are bound to play even better defence in Game 5 I think. In home games the Mavs are 12-30-1 on the O/U this season, being one of the most reliable teams when it comes to backing the under. Utah also fancies an under on the road this season, their record stands at 17-25-1.
Dallas has gone under in 7 of 9 games vs Northwest Division teams, while the Jazz has gone under in 6 of 9 vs Southwest Division teams and in 4 of their last 6 vs Western Conference opponents. This will be a match-up between the 30th and 22nd paced teams in the NBA, so it is pretty clear what we need to expect from Monday’s game. The Mavs also have the 5th best defensive efficiency allowing 106.8 points per 100 possessions, while Utah isn’t far behind in 10th allowing 107.7 points. This game has the potential to be an early 2000s type of game, so I think backing the under is a must in this one.
