Jazz at Mavericks
THE STORY: Playing without star forward Dirk Nowitzki finally caught up to the Dallas Mavericks. The Utah Jazz are hoping they won't wind up in a similar predicament with ailing center Al Jefferson. Both the Mavericks and Jazz are coming off losses as they prepare to square off Friday night in Dallas. It will be a rematch of last week’s game in Salt Lake City, which the Mavericks won 94-91. That was also the last time Nowitzki suited up. The reigning NBA Finals MVP is out for a minimum of four games for a conditioning stint to strengthen his sore knee. The Mavericks suffered their first loss without Nowitzki, falling at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-90 on Wednesday night. Utah also absorbed a surprising home loss to Toronto in double overtime. The Jazz played without leading scorer and rebounder Jefferson, who started to experience pain in his ankle and leg during Wednesday's shootaround. Jefferson will be a game-time decision after an MRI exam revealed he is dealing with tendinitis.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSSW+, FSSW
ABOUT THE JAZZ: (10-6): Utah has dropped two of its last three after going 8-1 to open the month. The loss of Jefferson and his 18.3 points and 9.4 rebounds for an extended time would be a killer. Paul Millsap had a huge game against Toronto, pouring in a season-high 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. It was the fourth double-digit rebounding game in the last six for Millsap, who is averaging 23.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in Utah’s last eight games.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (11-8): Dallas had its three-game overall winning streak snapped by the Timberwolves. The loss also ended a stretch of seven consecutive wins at home. Nowitzki’s absence was felt on the offensive end as Shawn Marion was the only starter in double figures with 15 points. In face, Dallas’ bench outscored the starting unit 51-39. Super sub Jason Terry continues to struggle with his outside shot. He has connected on only 4 of 28 3-point attempts in the last four games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Mavericks have won the last five meetings with Utah.
2. Dallas had its franchise-record streak of holding an opponent under 100 points snapped at 15 games by Minnesota.