Utah led by four with 39 seconds left in regulation, then by six early in overtime, and still left New Orleans with another loss. Dallas came within one shot of beating San Antonio despite a historic night from Victor Wembanyama. Friday brings together two teams with fresh evidence that they can compete deep into a game—and a need to make those stretches count for more.
Utah’s scoring needs a defensive finish
DraftKings makes Dallas a 7.5-point favorite at home. The Mavericks are 4–4 after two consecutive losses; Utah is 1–7 and has lost six straight. The Jazz have covered only once in eight games this season, so their struggles have extended beyond the win-loss column.
In AP’s recap of New Orleans’ 120–113 overtime win, Keyonte George scored 39 points and Lauri Markkanen had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Markkanen’s late three gave Utah a 104–100 lead, but the Pelicans forced overtime. George then hit consecutive threes for a six-point lead before New Orleans answered with 14 straight points.
The Jazz didn’t lack a way to score. They lacked a stop when the game changed direction. Utah has allowed at least 110 points in all eight games this season, so Wednesday’s lost leads sit within a broader problem rather than standing alone as one unfortunate finish.
George’s performance gives Utah something to build on despite the losing streak. With Markkanen adding another source of scoring, the Jazz were able to put New Orleans under pressure. Against Dallas, they need stops that allow a scoring run to become a lasting advantage.
Dallas can spread the scoring, but must finish defensive possessions
Wembanyama’s 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks dominated the AP account of San Antonio’s 112–111 win over Dallas. Yet the Mavericks stayed close through several contributors: Kyrie Irving scored 29, Naji Marshall had 22, P.J. Washington added 21 and Cooper Flagg finished with 19.
That scoring depth gives Dallas several ways to test Utah’s defense. Holding down Irving alone wouldn’t settle the matchup if Marshall, Washington and Flagg keep contributing. The Mavericks don’t need one scorer to match George’s latest output to make the Jazz work at that end.
Dallas still gave up two Wembanyama putbacks in the final 2:39. Those second-chance baskets show how a close game can turn even after the defense forces a miss. For Utah, extending a possession would offer another way to make its scoring count.
Max Christie is probable with a hip issue, while Sergio de Larrea is out with a knee injury, according to Thursday’s updates. The starting lineups remain unconfirmed, so Christie isn’t yet a confirmed starter.
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A 226.5 total needs regulation context
Dallas’ last game produced 223 points, below its game total of 226.5—the same threshold offered for Friday. Utah’s latest game produced 233, but only after regulation ended 104–104. The extra period changes how that final score should inform this matchup.
Six of Dallas’ eight games this season have gone Under their game totals, as have five of Utah’s eight. Utah’s defensive concessions haven’t automatically created higher totals because its own scoring has sometimes fallen short: the Jazz scored 90 against Portland and 97 against San Antonio in the two games before New Orleans.
The clearest route to more scoring is Dallas repeatedly finding answers against Utah’s defense, with George and Markkanen supplying enough at the other end to keep the exchanges going. Utah still has to supply its share in regulation. George and Markkanen’s production offers encouragement, but the two lower scores before New Orleans show how much the Jazz’s contribution can vary.
Dallas has the better record and several scorers to call on, but its own narrow loss shows why finishing possessions matters. Utah’s route to testing this favorite is to pair another productive George–Markkanen night with stops that survive the next Dallas response. Building a lead was possible in New Orleans; protecting one remains the test.
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