The Dallas Mavericks (41-39) head west to take on the Utah Jazz (40-40) at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday night, in a battle of two clubs fighting to hold on to the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks suffered a setback in their postseason quest, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon, 98-91. Dallas was led by Raymond Felton's effort off the bench, which consisted of 21 points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Deron Williams returned to the starting lineup after an eight-game absence due to a sports hernia, and contributed 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Dirk Nowitzki pitched in with 14 points, five boards and two assists. Although no other starter managed double-digit scoring, Charlie Villanueva did supply 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal in a reserve role.
The Mavericks are in third place in the Western Conference's Southwest Division, and remain slotted in the seventh seed as well despite the defeat. They've been victorious in seven of the last eight games, and have won three straight road contests.
Utah received a highly efficient effort from its starting five in its most recent game, a 100-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. Gordon Hayward and Trey Lyles, who started for Derrick Favors, lead the Jazz with a pair of 22-point efforts. Hayward added nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, while Lyles also supplied six rebounds and two assists. Rudy Gobert followed with a mammoth 16-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included an assist and six blocks. Shelvin Mack managed 14 points, six assists and three rebounds. Rodney Hood rounded out the first unit's stellar night with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Jazz are in third place in the Western Conference's Northwest Division, and are slotted in the eighth seed as well. They've won three of their last five contests, but have lost consecutive home dates to the Spurs and Clippers.
The two clubs have split their pair of previous meetings this season. Dallas prevailed at home by a score of 102-93, while the Jazz turned the tables in the return match by scoring a 121-119 overtime victory.
