Mavericks vs. Jazz playoffs Game 3 odds, how to watch, predictions

The Dallas Mavericks are in Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The series is tied at one game apiece, and all eyes are on the status of Luka Doncic. He missed the first two games with a calf strain, but was upgraded to questionable ahead of Thursday’s contest. The Mavericks star will warm up pregame before the team makes a final determination on his status.

Utah needs to make adjustments to stop the Mavs' five-out attack. Dallas used the same strategy in Game 2 that Tyronn Lue and the LA Clippers employed to knock out the Jazz in the second round of the playoffs last year. Can the Jazz figure out a way to stop the Mavericks as the series shifts to Salt Lake City?

Fans are not going to want to miss Thursday’s pivotal Game 3, so here is a look at how to watch, the odds, and more.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Game 3: How to watch

Start time: 8:00 p.m. CT or 9:00 p.m. ET

How to watch: NBA TV (national), Bally Sports Southwest Dallas (Mavericks local market), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Jazz local market)

Watch online: NBA TV

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Game 3: Injury report

Luka Doncic is officially listed as questionable heading into Game 3 with his calf strain. The Mavericks are not going to risk further injury, so the 23-year-old superstar will only play if he is back to full strength. The Mavs will be without Tim Hardaway Jr. (foot) and Frank Ntilikina (illness) for Game 3.

Trent Forrest (foot) and Udoka Azubuike (ankle) remain out for the Jazz, but no other players are listed on the official injury report.

Fans should be sure to check social media just before tipoff for the final determination on Luka’s status, plus any late-breaking news.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Game 3 odds, spread, over/under

According to WynnBet, the Mavericks enter Thursday’s game as 6.5-point underdogs in Salt Lake City. They are plus-220 on the moneyline, and the over/under for the contest sits at 210.5.

The Mavs odds will improve if Luka Doncic can play in Game 3, and that alone makes Dallas a quality bet on the moneyline. It is difficult to win in Utah, but the Mavericks figured out the Jazz defense in Game 2 and could replicate it on April 21. 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Game 3 predictions

The Mavs air on the side of caution and hold out Luka for Game 3. He needs just a few more days to rest his injured calf, and Dallas suffers a narrow loss in Utah on Thursday night. The Jazz struggle in the fourth quarter in a low-scoring contest, but the Mavericks fall just short as they cover the spread in Game 3.

Jalen Brunson goes for 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on April 21 to lead the Mavs. Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith both top 20 in Game 3 as Dallas falls behind in the series.

If Luka plays, the Mavericks complete a comeback victory behind a 30-point performance from the 6’7 superstar.

The Dallas Mavericks are hopeful that Luka Doncic can play before the series heads back to Texas, and fans are not going to want to miss a second of the action, so be sure to tune in tonight and enjoy the game.