Shorthanded Jazz Get Off To Hot Start Against Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS – The Utah Jazz starting 5 got out to a hot start against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

Utah went 6/8 from the field and 2/3 from three in the first three minutes.

🇮🇹 il primo inizio per Simone 🇮🇹#StartingLineup | @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/Wy9x3fLuiJ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 8, 2023

Four of the five starters scored in this span.

Simone Fontecchio got the night started with a catch-and-shoot three.

🤌 fantastico 🤌#TakeNote | @Simofonte13 pic.twitter.com/sYlnO5qprn

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 8, 2023

Talen Horton-Tucker drove to the rim and used his strength to score 4 early points.

Markkanen followed Horton-Tucker’s baskets with a shot from three.

a quick one, 23 pic.twitter.com/VrPl3xuphp

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 8, 2023

Markkanen also got a dunk off of a Fontecchio dime.

the italian dish finds the finnish 🫶#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/7HXK6qzF59

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 8, 2023

The Jazz, who have already ruled out guard Collin Sexton due to a strained hamstring will also be without starters Walker Kessler (non-Covid Illness) and Jordan Clarkson (finger sprain) who were both added to the injury report prior to the game.

The Mavericks meanwhile have listed Maxi Kleber as questionable with a hamstring injury, and JaVale McGee as doubtful with an injured ankle.

Kessler, Clarkson Out For Jazz

After losing their last three games the Jazz find themselves at 31-34 on the season and in a four-way tie with the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers in the West.

A loss to Dallas, teamed with wins from the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder could push the Jazz as far down as the 13th seed in the West in what would be their lowest ranking of the season.

UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 3/7):

*QUESTIONABLE – Jordan Clarkson (left hand – fourth finger sprain)

QUESTIONABLE – Walker Kessler (non-Covid illness)

AVAILABLE – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 7, 2023

The Jazz have been without Sexton since returning from the All-Star break and don’t expect the guard to return on their current six-game road trip.

Kessler has been on injury report since early Tuesday morning.

The team will welcome back All-Star Lauri Markkanen who missed Sunday’s loss to Oklahoma City with a back injury.

Mavericks Looking For Chemistry

The new-look Mavericks will be searching for much-needed team chemistry against the Jazz. Dallas has lost seven of their last 12 games since acquiring guard Kyrie Irving.

Worse yet, Dallas is just 2-5 with both Irving and Luka Doncic on the floor with the playoffs rapidly approaching.

the road trip continues 🚘

⏰ 6:30 PM MT
📺 @attsportsnetrm
📻 @kslsportszone | @kslsports#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/CO0UfxM0ll

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 7, 2023

The Mavericks own the seventh-best record in the West at 33-32. They could potentially climb in the standings with a win over the Jazz if Minnesota loses to Philadelphia.

Dallas will look to clinch the season series against the Jazz. The Mavericks have already won two of the first three matchups this year.

Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks Broadcast

The Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks will tip off at 6:30 pm MST. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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