by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Chris Creveling of USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz (14-19) will take on the Dallas Mavericks (19-14) for the first time at home this season.
What to Look For
In the first game of 2024, Utah will be looking to get their revenge towards Dallas after taking a 50-point loss in their previous meeting. This time around Utah will be with their two stars Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen, who were both out with injuries in the previous matchup. In their absence, Ochai Agbaji had a season-high in points (21) and in three-point shots made (5).
Even with Dallas having such a large margin in their win over Utah, Dallas allows their opponents 118.8 PPG (22nd in the league) to Utah’s 119.8 PPG (23rd in the league). Allowing 43.9 made field goals per game, this may lean in Utah’s favor now that their fire power is back healthy.
Key of the Game
Free throws. Both Dallas and Utah allow just shy of 22 free throws per game which is top-10 in the league for fewest attempts per game. Both of their opponents make near 77 percent of the shots from the line but both teams make near 18 free throws per game. Utah is sixth in the league in free throw percentage (81.7%) compared to Dallas’s 75.7 percent which is bottom-five in the league. With the recent drive from Collin Sexton and Utah’s look at an interior presence, free throws will make or break this game.
Injury Report
Dallas – Seth Curry (illness) Questionable, Luka Doncic (quad) Questionable, Dante Exum (heel) Questionable, Kyrie Irving (heel) Questionable, Maxi Kleber (toe) Out
Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, Taylor Hendricks (G League) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out
Where to Watch
Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. MST on KJZZ and Jazz+.
The Hive Sports 
Leave a Reply