The Dallas Mavericks (4-4) play host to the feckless Utah Jazz (1-7) on Friday night as the start of a three game home stand. The Mavericks are coming off of two straight losses, to the Kings Monday then the Spurs on Friday. The Jazz have lost six straight, their most recent an overtime game to the New Orleans Pelicans. Both teams need a win to get back on track. Here are the main things you need to know:
- WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz
- WHAT: Start of a homestand
- WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
- WHEN: 7:30 pm CST
- HOW: KFAA
In what qualifies as actual news, Santi Aldama is listed as probable and he is at least available
make his debut as a Dallas Maverick tonight. Coach Dusty May told reporters before the game, “We want to see him play, but obviously he hasn’t played 5-on-5 with the main guys yet.” Max Christie is also listed as probable after missing last game with a hip issue. Sergio De Larrea and Tarik Biberovic are still listed as out with their respective injuries. Kyrie Irving is also listed as probable, apparently dealing with an illness. Caleb Martin is on the injury report as he’s wearing a splint, but he is available to play.
The Utah Jazz are without center Jaren Jackson Jr., who has an MCL tear, and Jusuf Nurkic, who has a plantar plate tear.
The youthful Jazz have much, much better talent than their 1-7 record, so the Mavericks would be wise to approach this game as a must-win. The moral victory of coming back to the Spurs is nice for a day, but this team is capable of wins, and this matchup is one I could see catching the team by surprise. This is the first of three games in four days, but all four are winnable contests, so it would be great to see the Mavericks put together a complete game.
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- Injury report news
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Consider joining me on Pod Maverick liveafter the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight, and I need y’all to join and participate!
