3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 3 playoff win over Jazz in Utah

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks Game 3 playoff win over Jazz: 2. Answering small ball

The Mavericks continue to have success in the series by going small and spreading the floor with shooters. It led Dallas to a 41-point second quarter and had them up 17 at the half, so the Jazz gave the Mavs a taste of their own medicine. They put Eric Paschall at the five and spread out Dallas to get back into the game as Utah used a strong 14-point run over the last four minutes to close out a 40-point third quarter.

The Jazz went back to Rudy Gobert in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks have not seen the last of that small ball look. Utah had success spacing the floor, and it allowed Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic to get going. Mitchell had 18 in the third and Bogi dropped 12 to get Utah back within six to start the fourth.

The Jazz were outscored by 16 with Gobert on the floor in Game 3, and Hassan Whiteside was limited to just seven minutes. Could Utah coach Quinn Snyder gamble on sitting his All-Star center for an extended stretch in Game 4 to try to get the Jazz back in the series?

The Dallas Mavericks will be more prepared for the small ball looks on Saturday afternoon, but that does not mean they will be able to slow the Jazz down. It is something to watch as the series progresses.