Utah Jazz Bounce Back to Win 140-133 in OT vs. Mavericks

The Utah Jazz hosted the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. The Jazz defeated the Mavericks 140-133 in overtime at the Delta Center. Utah improved to 9-15 and achieved a two-game winning streak, while Dallas fell to 10-17

Previously, Dallas defeated the Brooklyn Nets 119-111 at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 13. Anthony Davis led the Mavs with 24 points, 14 rebounds and three assists. Cooper Flagg added 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists.

Flagg, 18, averaged 23 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game through his last six games. The Mavericks went 5-1 in that stretch. The 18-year-old has scored 20+ points four times in those six contests, with Dallas posting a 4-0 record in those contests.

The following day, Dallas announced a schedule change. Dallas at Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 29 was flexed to 9:30 p.m. Central as a nationally televised game on NBC and Peacock.

Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks Starters
When it comes to the “injury bug,” Dallas’ injury list surpassed Utah’s. Both teams are facing adversity as Dallas sits at 10th place in the Western Conference standings and Utah trails behind at 11th place. Nothing is guaranteed, so Dallas must maintain momentum.

Utah’s starting lineup had Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh, Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Filipowski. Utah ruled out Walker Kessler (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (rest) and Georges Niang (foot).

Dallas’ starting lineup featured Ryan Nembhard, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington Jr., Daniel Gafford. Dallas ruled out Dante Exum (knee), Dereck Lively II (foot), Kyrie Irving (knee), D’Angelo Russell (illness), Anthony Davis (calf) and Brandon Williams (Achilles).

Jazz vs. Mavericks Recap
Monday’s game served as a matchup between two bottom-feeders. Both teams aren’t in a traditional rivalry, but they’ve played each other 209 times. The last time they played in a regular season game, Dallas beat Utah 106-94 on Nov. 30, 2024.

Both teams played in an energetic, high-scoring first quarter. Cooper Flagg helped Dallas get on the board with an easy bucket. Ryan Nembhard followed up with back-to-back buckets. Ace Bailey shined early on, with a one-handed jam that screamed to Flagg, 18, “Take that!” Dallas took a 43-37 lead to end the first.

Flagg’s 14 first-quarter points, his most points in any quarter in his NBA career. Previously, Flagg had 12 points on three separate occasions.

The second quarter resembled the first frame. Klay Thompson made a three-pointer that helped the home crowd breathe a sigh of relief regarding his shooting struggles. Dallas took a 75-71 lead into halftime.

Flagg’s 24 first-half points, his most points in a half in his career, were the most by any Dallas Maverick this season. Flagg recorded 20+ points in five of his last seven games. The former Duke star also passed Tracy McGrady for the third-most points by a player before his 19th birthday. Only LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant have scored more before turning 19.

Keyonte George’s 24 first-half points shined in more ways than one. George, 22, recorded his sixth career 20-point first half, his fourth this season, and his second in a row.

The third quarter shook off a sluggish start to turn into a dynamic frame. PJ Washington Jr. threw down a hammer set play. Utah didn’t go give up. Keyonte George’s scoring streak was in full force. Isaiah Collier, not related to Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, got past a defender to throw down a dunk. However, Dallas took a 99-92 lead through three quarters.

The Jazz went on a 11-7 run to open the fourth quarter. Collier, 19, played defense, knocking the ball out of Moussa Cisse’s hands. Utah’s efforts were attention-grabbing. Dallas evened the score 129-129 to force overtime.

The Jazz made a bucket to open the overtime scoring. The home team followed up with a three-pointer. The Mavs seemed to run out of gas. Utah defeated Dallas 140-133 in overtime.

Final Thoughts
Dallas returns home to host the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Central. The red-hot Mavs will try to cool the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons.

Utah continues the homestand vs. Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. MT. The Jazz’s potential two-game win streak will be put to the test by the Lakers.