Mavs Game Preview: Game 12 @ Jazz

Give me any kind of a win..

Photo by Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images

After a rough, emotional stretch with three losses on the final possession and four losses in their last five games, the Mavericks need a break. And sometimes, the otherwise brutal NBA schedule offers just that. Dallas needs a win—any win. Anything less would be a major disaster against a Jazz team that isn’t trying to compete.

The Jazz are the second-worst team in the NBA by net rating and are clearly committed to maximizing their chances of landing Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft by fielding one of the youngest and most inexperienced rotations in the league.

For games like this—and some others in the future—I’ll keep previews as short as possible. I don’t think most of you want to read over 1,000 words on the tanking Jazz. Game coverage is cluttered enough as it is, and I’d rather use the time and space for other Mavs analysis.

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Mavs (5-6) @ Jazz (2-8)

Rest: DAL on 1 day of rest; UTA on 1 day of rest

Mavs 2024-25 record vs. Jazz: 1-0

DAL injuries: Luka Dončić (probable), P.J. Washington (doubtful), Dante Exum (OUT),

UTA injuries: Walker Kessler (OUT), Taylor Hendricks (OUT)

UTA projected starting 5: Keyonte George (G), Collin Sexton(G), Cody Williams (F), Lauri Markkanen (F), John Collins (C)

UTA key reserves: Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Filipowski, Johnny Juzang, Isaiah Collier

UTA Rotation:

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Three key questions heading into the game

1. Can we see energy and focus from the start?

2. Any further signs of rotation tweaks—and more minutes for Quentin Grimes?

3. Will we see more of the young guys in Hardy, O-Max, and Kessler Edwards?

Mavs on offense | Jazz on defense

Most of what I covered in my preview for the first matchup between Dallas and Utah in Game 3 still holds true.

The Jazz are a poor defensive team (ranked 27th), especially in transition, where the Mavericks won the last matchup despite their poor shooting. If anything, the Jazz are in an even worse position now, with their best two—or rather, only two—impactful defenders, Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks, missing due to injury.

Without Hendricks, there isn’t a strong wing option to match up with Dončić. And while John Collins provides some challenges by stretching the floor on offense, his move to starting center in place of Kessler leaves the Jazz without rim protection and any real resistance at the rim. The Jazz, who had one of the league's biggest frontcourts before the injuries, are now a much smaller team with Collins and rookie Cody Williams in the starting lineup.

Mavs on defense | Jazz on offense