3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 4 playoff loss to Jazz in Utah

The Dallas Mavericks got superstar Luka Doncic back on the floor, but they could not overcome a rough shooting first half as they lost to the Utah Jazz 100-99 on Saturday afternoon. Dallas got the final shot with a chance to win, but the Jazz doubled Doncic, and Dinwiddie could not hit his third game-winner since joining the Mavericks.

Both teams struggled from the field in Game 4, but it was Utah’s edge in free throws and turnovers that proved to be the difference. Dallas turned the ball over just 19 times in the first three games combined but had 11 in Luka’s return as Utah held a 42 to 23 edge in foul shots. The Mavs missed just one too many open looks as the Jazz evened the series.

It was Luka’s first game of the series, and the Mavericks again had a chance to win. Here are three takeaways from Game 4 as the series shifts back to Dallas tied at two games apiece.

3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 4 playoff loss to Jazz in Utah

It was a heartbreaking loss for Dallas because their defense played well. The Mavericks held Utah to 40.5 percent shooting from the field and just 28.6 percent on their threes in Game 4, but Dallas committed 29 personal fouls. They need to defend without fouling moving forward if they want to win the series.

Jordan Clarkson was the only player for the Jazz that got going on Saturday afternoon. Dallas defended well on Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic, but the Mavericks just could not finish off the victory.

Dallas struggled in the fourth quarter too. They had just 18 points over the final 12 minutes as the Jazz stole a game in Salt Lake City to even it up. There are the three biggest takeaways for Mavericks fans moving forward.