Mavericks vs Jazz Picks and Odds (Dec. 25th)

• The Mavericks and Jazz meet on Christmas Day
• Dallas will be without Kristaps Porzingis, Luka Doncic, and Tim Hardaway
• Read on for the odds, preview, and prediction

The depleted Dallas Mavericks will visit the Utah Jazz on Christmas Day for a nightcap in Salt Lake City. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 PM EST.

Both teams were in action on Thursday as Dallas lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, while Utah manhandled the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were missing Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.

This is the first meeting between the Jazz and Mavs this season, but in 2020/21, Donovan Mitchell and Co. won two out of three.

Mavericks vs Jazz Odds

Odds as of December 24th at FanDuel.

Utah is a heavy 11-point home favorite and for good reason. They’re at full strength, while the Mavericks are not. The Jazz has also posted a 16-15 record as ATS favorites. Dallas on the other hand is just 6-9 as an ATS underdog.

Depleted Mavs

The Mavs truly couldn’t be in worse shape heading into a classic Christmas Day matchup. This game had the potential to be very entertaining but due to injuries and COVID-19 problems, Dallas’s rotation is extremely thin. Tim Hardaway, Luka Doncic, Reggie Bullock, and Maxi Kleber, among others, are currently in the league’s health and safety protocols. Kristaps Porzingis meanwhile is battling a toe injury. Basically, Jason Kidd’s squad is missing their entire starting lineup, with the exception of big man Dwight Powell.

Nevertheless, the Mavericks actually put up a respectable fight against the defending champions on Thursday, losing by only seven points. Jalen Brunson led the way with 19 points and has proven to be a key rotational piece, especially with Luka and Porzingis unavailable. He’s averaging 23.6 points in his last three games. Despite the defeat which dropped Dallas to 15-16 on the season, the entire starting five finished with at least 10 points apiece on the night, which is certainly a promising sign.

Final. Back at it on Christmas Day.@Chime | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/VWIIxqHRIV

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 24, 2021

However, they did struggle to shoot the three-ball, draining just 27% of their attempts from downtown. Frank Ntilikina and Dorian Finney-Smith combined to go a mere 4 for 19 from beyond the arc. There is one positive for the Mavs heading in Saturday though, having gone 12-8 against Western Conference teams this season. But, this will definitely be a very tough matchup, with the Jazz steering clear of COVID-19 problems.

Utah Showing Out

It’s been another impressive campaign for the Jazz so far, compiling a 22-9 record which is good for third spot in the West behind the Warriors and Suns. They also head into Christmas on a two-game winning streak and have collected eight victories in their previous 10 contests. Although most of the NBA is dealing with so many outbreaks with the virus, Utah is managing to stay very healthy and will have their entire rotation intact on Saturday.

Superstar Donovan Mitchell showed out against the Timberwolves once again, erupting for a team-high 28 points and also dishing out seven assists. Rudy Gobert also had a big night, dropping 20 and grabbing 17 rebounds. It was a lights-out shooting performance from Quin Snyder’s group, draining 41% of their triples and connecting on a 53% clip from the field.

Points in the paint were a huge factor in this contest as well, outscoring Minny 60-46.

Easy Rudy double-double tbh #PerformanceLeader | @UofUHealth pic.twitter.com/015McgIr0X

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 24, 2021

Defensively, the Jazz had some massive stops in the fourth quarter after the Timberwolves essentially kept themselves in the game thanks to D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley combining for 52 points. Gobert and Mitchell also hit numerous crucial shots in the final period which helped Utah pull away for good.

Mavericks vs Jazz Prediction

The spread is extremely high here, but I do believe the Jazz will cover. Dallas is just far too shorthanded to put up much of a fight. Plus, Utah is 12-6 on home court. Mitchell and Gobert should have no problem erupting offensively and leading their team to a convincing Christmas Day victory.

Pick: Jazz -11 (-110)