Charles Barkley Criticizes Donovan Mitchell For Decision-Making In Game 5 Of Jazz/Mavs

SALT LAKE CITY – TNT’s Charles Barkley ripped Donovan Mitchell for a poor decision during the first half of Game 5 between the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks hosted the Jazz at American Airlines Center on Monday, April 25.

During the halftime show, Barkley roasted Mitchell after the broadcast showed a Jazz possession that resulted in a turnover.

Mitchell had the ball at the top of the three-point line at the start of the highlight. Danuel House Jr. set a pick for Mitchell before moving beyond the arc.

After the screen, Mitchell was double-teamed by Dallas but continued to drive towards the hoop despite House Jr. being wide-open. With nowhere to go in the paint, Mitchell turned the ball over on a bad pass.

Barkley ripped Mitchell for not passing the ball to House Jr. and asked the TNT crew to replay the highlight.

Charles Barkley roasting Donovan Mitchell at halftime. pic.twitter.com/yk5Yvx1WJU

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 26, 2022

At halftime, the Jazz trailed the Mavericks, 52-36.

Utah had eight turnovers.

During the opening 24 minutes of game time, Mitchell had seven points on 3-10 shooting. He added two rebounds, a steal, and two turnovers in 18 minutes on the floor.

It's been that kind of night… pic.twitter.com/78zKsSOEa0

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 26, 2022

Jazz vs. Mavericks

Both the Jazz and the Mavericks will look to seize control of their opening-round series when the two teams face off in a critical Game 5.

After winning Game 1 on the road, the Jazz surrendered the series lead by losing Games 2 and 3 to Dallas, appearing to have no answers for the scrappier Mavericks attack.

However, the Jazz overcame their faults in Game 4, evening the series at two games apiece with a 100-99 win in Utah.

You think you know how to slow down Luka Doncic?

Well @utahjazz head coach Quin Snyder laid out exactly why Doncic is one of the most difficult players to adjust for in a brilliant soliloquy ahead of Game 5.#takenote | #MFFLhttps://t.co/PFqM9toOUD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 26, 2022

Jazz Look To Build On Momentum

After disappointing performances in Games 2 and 3, the Jazz seemed to solve their numerous flaws in Saturday’s franchise energizing victory.

Quin Snyder made tangible adjustments to the Jazz’s stagnant defense, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert showed a superstar connection on the floor, and the team overall put forward the effort required to win a playoff series.

The Jazz must now show they have an ability to continue that effort, having far too often this season taken one step forward, only to take two steps back.

Winning in Dallas is a tall task, but the Jazz have the wind at their backs, as the pressure has fallen on the Mavericks to avoid falling behind in the series once again.

Mavericks Look To Regain Control

While the pressure may rest more heavily on the Mavericks after their Game 4 loss, they have the advantage of playing two of the final three games of the series at home, with a healthier Luka Doncic back on the roster.

Doncic missed the first three games of the series but returned with a 30 point, ten rebound, four assist outing in Game 4.

However, the Mavericks roster lacked the same cohesion as the team’s role players struggled to shoot the ball on offense, and failed to keep the Jazz off the three-point line on defense.

Whichever team wins Game 5 will return to Utah with a chance to close out the series in Game 6.

GAME 5️⃣

📻 LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @dallasmavs on @ZoneSportsNet, @kslnewsradio, and the @kslsports app 🎷🏀#TakeNote #UTAvsDAL #NBA #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/LqmyLf0ake

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 26, 2022

Utah’s game against Dallas is broadcast on TNT, AT&T SportsNet, The Zone Sports Network, and KSL NewsRadio.

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