Jazz, Mavericks Look For Series Control In Critical Game 5
Apr 25, 2022, 12:56 PM
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson defends a shot by Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Both the Utah Jazz and the Dallas 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.
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 @utahjazz seemed to right every regular season wrong in their stellar 100-99 victory over the @dallasmavs.
On changing the narrative, Doncic's return, and the series shifting to Dallas. #TakeNote | @kslsports https://t.co/UedHKuKM7B
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 24, 2022
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.
No Luka Doncic on the Mavs’ injury reports for the first time this postseason. What a sight. https://t.co/HZFRebPYfp
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) April 24, 2022
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.
Broadcast
The Jazz and Mavericks will tip-off at 7:30 pm MT and can be heard on KSL NewsRadio and The Zone Sports Network. The game will be televised on TNT, AT&T SportsNet, and FuboTV.
