Mavericks at Jazz
THE STORY: Dallas will be happy to get out of Los Angeles after losing to both the Lakers and Clippers on late 3-pointers. Derek Fisher did in the Mavericks on Monday with 3.1 seconds left in a 73-70 victory. The Mavericks took an 89-88 lead over the Clippers on Wednesday night after Jason Terry sank a 26-footer, but the Mavericks lost 91-89 when Chauncey Billups made a 25-footer with one second remaining. The Mavericks will try to get back on track Thursday night in Utah. The Jazz are coming off their best game of the season, punishing the Clippers 108-79 Tuesday night. Paul Millsap had 20 points for Utah, which toyed with the Clippers and beat them for the 16th consecutive time at home. “I guess people know who we are now (and) we’re going to continue to try to fight (and) continue to try and get better,” Millsap said. The Jazz bench outscored the Clippers bench 54-32, led by C.J. Miles’ season-high 19 points.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (8-7): Vince Carter, who suffered a sprained left foot on the last play of Monday's loss to the Lakers, will see the team physician today. Carter will be out until at least this weekend. Dallas has lost consecutive games for the first time since starting the season 0-3. Ninety is the magic number for the Mavericks this season. Dallas is 0-7 when allowing 90 or more points and 8-0 when holding opponents under 90.
ABOUT THE JAZZ (9-4): Utah brings a banged up lineup into tonight’s game. Jazz forward Josh Howard (strained left quad) and guard Jamaal Tinsley (dermatitis) didn’t practice Wednesday. Forward Derrick Favors (sprained right ankle) plans to play, while Howard does not. I'll continue to do my rehab. I'll strengthen it as much as I can 'til it feels better,” Howard said. Despite a 7-1 home record, the Jazz have sold out just one game this season, their home opener Dec. 30 against Philadelphia.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Utah is 10-5 in its last 15 home games against the Mavericks.
2. Dirk Nowitzki has led the Mavericks in scoring in five of the past six games against the Jazz.
3. In 2010-11, the Mavericks swept a four-game season series with Utah for the first time in franchise history.