3 keys for Dallas Mavericks to defeat the Utah Jazz in potential playoff preview

Key to Dallas Mavericks defeating Utah Jazz: 2. Luka going off

The Mavs are going to need Luka Doncic to shine on Sunday night if they want to win. The 23-year-old has faced Utah twice this season as he missed the Christmas Day meeting in the health and safety protocols. Luka had 35 points on 12 of 23 shooting from the field in the win and netted just 23 on eight of 24 in the loss.

The Jazz are have kept Doncic from getting to the rim in both meetings as he had just one shot within three feet. He has had to rely on his floater and his jumper with Rudy Gobert dropping into the paint and waiting at the rim to contest.

There is no defense that can stop Luka. He averaged over 35 points and ten dimes per game in last year’s playoff series against the Clippers, and Utah does not have the same kind of perimeter stoppers. Expect Doncic to hunt mismatches and look to post up small defenders in Sunday’s matchup.

Luka Doncic needs to have his jumper locked in and be at the top of his game if the Dallas Mavericks are going to top the Utah Jazz. It is a potential playoff preview, so fans know the 23-year-old superstar wants nothing more than to prove to Gobert and company that they have no chance of slowing him down in the postseason.