Sports
Dallas Mavericks to host Utah Jazz in game one of NBA Playoffs on Saturday
Utah Jazz (49-33, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (52-30, fourth in the Western Conference)
Dallas; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mavericks -5; over/under is 210
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Mavericks host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Mavericks host the Utah Jazz to open the Western Conference first round. Dallas and Utah tied the regular season series 2-2. The Mavericks won the last regular season matchup 114-100 on March 27. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 32 points, and Rudy Gay led the Jazz with 18 points.
The Mavericks are 36-16 against conference opponents. Dallas ranks last in the Western Conference scoring 10.0 fast break points per game.
The Jazz are 33-19 in conference play. Utah is 12-8 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 13.2 turnovers per game.
TOP PERFORMERS: Doncic is averaging 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists for the Mavericks. Jalen Brunson is averaging 17.8 points over the last 10 games for Dallas.
Rudy Gobert is averaging 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Jazz. Mike Conley is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Utah.
LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 8-2, averaging 117.7 points, 42.5 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 5.9 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.7 points per game.
Jazz: 4-6, averaging 111.6 points, 46.0 rebounds, 22.3 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.4 points.
INJURIES: Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr.: out (foot), Luka Doncic: day to day (calf), Frank Ntilikina: day to day (illness), Maxi Kleber: day to day (ankle).
Jazz: Udoka Azubuike: out (ankle), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (illness), Trent Forrest: out (foot sprain).