3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 2 playoff win over Jazz

The Dallas Mavericks found their offense without superstar Luka Doncic in Game 2 as they defeated the Utah Jazz 110-104 at the American Airlines Center. Jalen Brunson went for 41 to help Dallas even the series as things shift to Salt Lake City.

The Jazz’s fourth-quarter struggles returned on Monday night as the Mavericks outscored them by ten in the final 12 minutes. Dallas had 33 in the final period and hit plenty of key shots down the stretch to secure the victory.

Things will change if Luka can return during the series, but there was still plenty to take away from the Mavericks' Game 2 win as they shot well and got a career-high from their lead ball-handler. Dallas is proving they can compete with the Jazz even when Luka is out, so let us take a look at three things that will matter moving forward in the series.

3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 2 win over Utah Jazz

Head coach Jason Kidd changed the rotation in Game 2 as he called on Trey Burke off the bench to keep two playmakers on the floor. Burke hit one 3-pointer, but he struggled on the defensive end forcing the Hall of Fame point guard to go in a different direction after just five first-half minutes.

Dallas made shots on Monday night. They hit 46.8 percent of their 47 3-point tries and sank 47.0 percent of their field goals to secure the victory. Their 22 made 3-pointers on April 18 set a new franchise playoff record. Donovan Mitchell went for 34 as Rudy Gobert had 17 rebounds and two blocks, but it did not matter as the Mavericks outshot their greatness.

Here are three takeaways from the Dallas Mavericks Game 2 upset win over the Utah Jazz.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks Game 2 playoff win over Jazz: 3. Ball control

The Mavs needed to play the perfect game to grab a win without Luka Doncic. They got plenty of open 3-pointers in Game 1, but they failed to make shots. Dallas changed that on Monday night, but their ball control was just as important.

The Mavericks committed just three turnovers as a team in Game 2 with Jalen Brunson not committing one, despite shooting 25 times and dishing out five dimes. Three turnovers as a team tied a playoff record for the fewest in a game.

The Dallas Mavericks have prided themselves on limiting turnovers dating back more than a decade, and that attention to detail paid off on Monday night. They controlled the ball and committed seven fewer turnovers than the Jazz in the contest.

The Mavs needed to grab a win at home without Luka Doncic in the lineup if they wanted to have a chance to win the series. Mission accomplished behind an impressive offensive performance from a team missing their engine on that end of the floor.

Credit to Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie in Game 2. Brunson will get all the credit because of his monster numbers, but Dinwiddie had 17 points and six assists in 40 minutes of action as the Mavericks outscored the Jazz by six with the 6’5 guard on the floor. It was an incredible performance from both ball-handlers to help the Mavs tie an NBA record.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks Game 2 playoff win over Jazz: 2. Kleber finds his shot

The Jazz prefer to play drop coverage against the pick and roll as they attempt to shut off shots at the rim, but it can hurt them when the opposition spreads the floor and knocks down shots. Dallas used that game plan to perfection in Game 2 as Maxi Kleber played a key role.

Kleber missed the final four games of the regular season, and he showed some rust in the series opener, but Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd still trusted him in the closing rotation. The 6’10 big man rewarded that faith in Game 2 as he had a career night.

Kleber had 25 points on eight of 11 shooting from 3-point range in 32 minutes of action. His eight threes tied a franchise playoff record. Utah was comfortable giving him space, and the Mavericks' big man made them pay. Kleber also chipped in six rebounds and three dimes in a crucial performance to help Dallas even the series.

Kleber’s shooting opened the floor for Dallas. Rudy Gobert had to make decisions from that point on, and the Mavericks kept making the Jazz pay. If Gobert rotated into the paint, Dallas kicked out for an open shot, and when he stayed home on Kleber, Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie feasted at the rim.

Credit to Maxi Kleber for stepping up and playing a key role in the win. The Mavs will need him to keep making shots if they want to advance past the Jazz.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks Game 2 playoff win over Jazz: 1. Brunson silences doubters

Fans were questioning how Jalen Brunson could perform in the playoffs after he was virtually played off the floor in Game 7 against the LA Clippers last year. JB silenced those doubters in Game 2 against the Utah Jazz as he went off for a career-high 41 points on 15 of 25 shooting from the field.

The 6’1 guard kept attacking all night. It was the first 40-point game of his career, and he tied a career-high with ten 3-point attempts. Brunson was unstoppable in Game 2, and it did not matter what look Utah sent his way.

JB is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, and his list of suitors and contract increased on Monday night. Brunson proved that he can take over and lift his team to a playoff victory. Fans talked about his fourth-year breakout all season, and he cemented it with his Game 2 performance.

The Dallas Mavericks are back in action on Thursday evening as the series shifts to Utah for Game 3. They are hoping Luka Doncic can return to the floor, but the organization will not make that determination until 90 minutes before tipoff. Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on Luka and the Mavs as they look to take command of the series with a win on the road in Game 3.