Mavericks at Jazz
THE STORY:
The Utah Jazz have no margin for error as they host the Dallas
Mavericks in a pivotal contest on Monday. Utah has lost back-to-back
games and sits 10th in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games behind the
eighth and final playoff position with only five games left. The
Mavericks, who are sixth in the West, had a three-game winning streak
snapped when they lost to the Lakers in overtime Sunday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), ROOT Sports (Utah)
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (34-27):
Forward Dirk Nowitzki is in a shooting slump as the season winds down.
Nowitzki hit 9 of 28 shots in the 112-108 loss to the Lakers and is
shooting 37.9 percent (36 of 95) over the last five games. Nowitzki
still managed 24 points and 14 rebounds against Los Angeles but was
unhappy with his performance. “I just have to make some shots,” Nowitzki
said. “I was more of a volume shooter and that’s not the way I want to
play. I want to be an efficient scorer. I’ve got some work to do.”
ABOUT THE JAZZ (31-30):
Utah has blown fourth-quarter leads in devastating losses to the New
Orleans Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies. The blown opportunities leave the
Jazz in must-win mode with four of their final five games at home.
Coach Tyrone Corbin has elected to sell the losses as a time to learn.
“We aren’t out it by any stretch of the imagination,” Corbin said.
“Plus, we want to continue to grow as a team. These experiences this
time of year are invaluable to us.” The Jazz play at Portland on
Wednesday and then close with three home games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Dallas is 3-0 against Utah this season and has won the last seven meetings.
2. The Mavericks dropped to 18-2 when scoring 100 or more points with its loss to the Lakers.
3. Utah forward Derrick Favors has strung together three consecutive double-doubles for the first time in his career.