Despite the Slovenian’s 37 points – guilty however of a defensive sleep on the decisive play – the Mavs fall against Utah, last in the West, for the 4th time in a row
Beautiful and unexpected. It is the 115-113 victory of the Utah Jazz (3-8), last in the Western Conference, against the Dallas Mavericks (5-7) who are increasingly in crisis and have reached their fourth consecutive defeat. The Jordan Clarkson-John Collins axis was decisive, especially with a handful of seconds left when the former gave the other the assist that definitively closed the game. The Jazz thus achieved their first success in front of their fans, leaving behind Luka Doncic’s usual almighty performance thanks to a unanimous team effort and six players in double figures.
first half
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Warm atmosphere as always at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, but it’s the Mavericks who are hot at the start (without Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington) who launch with the precision from the arc of Quentin Grimes and Doncic (2 triples on 2 and 2/ 4 in the first set). On the other side, Collins is holding his own, scoring 9 of his 28 points in the first quarter alone. The Jazz slowly recovered the initial deficit and after 14 minutes put their head forward with Clarkson. Then they gain confidence and continue the advance with rookie Kyle Filipowski who closes the first half without missing a single shot (6/6, including one three-pointer). Towards the end the game becomes more lively and baskets arrive from both sides. The last one is from Daniel Gafford who collects Klay Thompson’s missed triple and sends the Mavs up 64-61 at halftime.
jazz victory
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Utah immediately sets the tone in the second half, reaching +14 at the end of the third quarter, when it is above all a Lauri Markkanen who was subdued up until then. In four minutes the Jazz escape with a 20-5 run, taking advantage of the Mavs’ worst moment who, not coincidentally, get stuck when Doncic’s shot stops. It is in the third period of the match that the feat is accomplished, but not without fear. Because coach Kidd’s team forcefully returns to a draw in the last quarter, first with the Slovenian and then with Thompson (17 points, 6/17 from the field). However, the hosts are the ones who come out on top: Clarkson takes the last action, with a pass almost from the logo and with the complicity of the Dallas defense – Doncic first and foremost (“There was a misunderstanding” he will say after the match ) – totally asleep, finds Collins all alone in the area. All he needs to do is jump and dunk to give his team that decisive 2 point lead. Outside, at the siren, Marshall’s triple following Doncic’s suggestion could have created another final.
Utah: Collins 28 (10/20, 1/3, 7/7 tl), Clarkson 20, Sexton 16. Rimbalzi: Collins 9. Assist: George 6.
dallas: Doncic 37 (13/25, 4/13, 7/7 tl), Marshall 19, Thompson 17. Rimbalzi: Doncic 7. Assist: Doncic 9.
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