Fresh off of a 100-98 win over the lowly Sacramento Kings, your Dallas Mavericks (14-23) are set to begin game two of a three game road trip. The venue turns to Salt Lake City, where the Mavs will face off against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz, for their part, will be on the butt end of a back to back, having played in New Orleans on Wednesday evening. Because of that, the Mavericks will be favored. However, this team rarely does what they are supposed to, so it’s best that we don’t chalk this one into
the win column.
What should you know before tipoff? Let’s dive in.
Travel issues
The main issue that has plagued the Mavericks this season is their inability to win games away from home. They’ve won just four contests away from the American Airlines Center, including Tuesday night’s win that required a double-digit comeback. This Utah team will very likely be shorthanded come Thursday night. Are the Mavericks going to be mature enough to handle their business? Early returns would say no, but that is why we play the games.
The Davis dilemma
It’s no secret that Anthony Davis is firmly on the trade block as we approach the early February trade deadline. According to multiple reports, Davis is far more interested in acquiring a new contract extension than he is in playing for any given city. Thus far, the Mavericks have waffled on extending the oft-injured big man. Are these trade talks going to affect he and/or the team? How long is the organization going to allow these rumors to press on without any action? Is a Trae Young trade going to affect the market for Davis? All things that are hanging over this team as they try to win ball games.
Keyonte George is for real
A tip of the hat is in order for the young Jazz guard, who has been absolutely cooking for a while now. George has LEAPED up to over 24 points per game scored in his third season, on both the highest volume and best efficiency of his career. For a guy that a lot in the league were ready to chalk up as an inefficient scoring guard, George has really flipped the script. Assuming he goes in this game, Dallas will have a steep challenge in stopping him, as George lit the Mavericks up for 37 last month.
How to watch
Tipoff time is set for 8:00p CT from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Mavs TV, KFAA Channel 29 or NBA League Pass have you covered for the broadcast.
