Once again, the status of Luka Doncic hangs over Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz on Thursday as the series shifts to Salt Lake City. The Jazz are 6-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 210.5.

Mavericks vs. Jazz NBA Betting Odds

Usually, a road team comes away thrilled when it splits the first two games of a playoff series because it has stolen home-court advantage away. However, Dallas has to be giddy that it got a home split playing without Doncic, and the Mavs catch another break in that Game 3 of this Western Conference first-round series vs. Utah isn’t Wednesday (normal one day off between games) but Thursday. That obviously improves Doncic’s chances of returning.

With the series tied 1-1, Utah is a -270 favourite to win it (was -714 entering Game 2) with Dallas at +214 (was +508). On the series handicap, the Jazz are -135 at -1.5 games and the Mavericks +110 at +1.5 games. The favoured exact result is Jazz in five at +225 followed by in six at +250. The over-under is 5.5 total games with the over a -270 favourite.

Dallas has covered five straight games vs. Utah.

Dallas Mavericks

Doncic sprained his left calf in the regular season finale and hasn’t gone through a full practice as of this writing, but the Jazz are going to prepare as if he will return Thursday. “He’s such a dynamic player that you have to. That said, I think planning for Dallas is more than just planning for Luka,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said.

Mavs free-agent-to-be Jalen Brunson made himself several million dollars in Monday’s 110-104 upset win with 41 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and ZERO turnovers in 42 minutes. He became the first player in Mavericks history with 40 points and no turnovers in a playoff game. That Brunson went nuts wasn’t a major shock, but that 6-foot-10 Maxi Kleber was 8-for-11 from three-point range with 25 points off the bench was startling. The Mavericks made 17 uncontested three-pointers in the win, the most by any team in last 10 postseasons. The Mavericks are 8-3 ATS in their past 11 as underdogs.

Utah Jazz

If Utah loses this series without having to face Doncic in at least two games, there are going to be major changes this offseason – probably starting with Coach Snyder leaving for the Spurs or Lakers. The Jazz led by seven at the half in Game 2 and four entering the fourth but couldn’t hang on under a three-point barrage as Dallas made 22 of them in 47 attempts compared to 11-for-29 for Utah. The Jazz destroyed the Mavs on the boards 50-31 (11-2 offensively) as well on in points in the paint (50-28 edge). Alas, the NBA is a three-point shooting league now and if you are outscored by 33 points there, you are losing.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 34 points in Game 2 but it took him 30 shots. Rudy Gobert has become an afterthought on offence (13 total points in series). Starting point guard Mike Conley had zero points Monday and battled foul trouble. So did top bench player Jordan Clarkson. The Jazz are 2-8-1 ATS in their past 11 games.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Mavericks vs. Jazz?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Mavericks Team Leaders

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 28.42
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.74
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.12
FG%	Dwight Powell 67.1
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.15
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.98

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.87
Assists	Mike Conley 5.35
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 14.67
FG%	Greg Monroe 80
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.48
Blocks	Rudy Gobert 2.08

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 31.67
Assists	Luka Doncic 6.4
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.8
FG%	Dwight Powell 62.9
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.8
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.83

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.5
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 5.67
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 13.17
FG%	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 100
Steals	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 1
Blocks	Hassan Whiteside 1.33

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Jazz Team Leaders

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 28.42
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.74
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.12
FG%	Dwight Powell 67.1
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.15
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.98

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.87
Assists	Mike Conley 5.35
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 14.67
FG%	Greg Monroe 80
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.48
Blocks	Rudy Gobert 2.08

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 31.67
Assists	Luka Doncic 6.4
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.8
FG%	Dwight Powell 62.9
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.8
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.83

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.5
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 5.67
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 13.17
FG%	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 100
Steals	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 1
Blocks	Hassan Whiteside 1.33

Injuries

Dallas

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 05 / 22

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Ques Wed Neck - 03 / 05 / 22

Sterling Brown (SG)

Prob Sat Illness - 10 / 04 / 22

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Prob Mon Illness - 09 / 04 / 22

Marquese Chriss (PF)

Prob Sun Illness - 08 / 04 / 22

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Sat Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22

Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)

Out Wed Rest - 30 / 03 / 22

Trey Burke (PG)

Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 03 / 22

Sterling Brown (SG)

Prob Fri Personal - 25 / 03 / 22

Utah

Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Trent Forrest (PG)

Out Thurs Foot - 07 / 04 / 22

Mike Conley (PG)

Prob Fri Knee - 06 / 04 / 22

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Fri Thumb - 06 / 04 / 22

Trent Forrest (PG)

Prob Wed Concussion - 30 / 03 / 22

Hassan Whiteside (C)

Prob Sat Foot - 24 / 03 / 22

Mike Conley (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 19 / 03 / 22

Hassan Whiteside (C)

Ques Sun Illness - 18 / 03 / 22

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 03 / 22

Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)

Prob Thurs Calf - 14 / 03 / 22

Injuries

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 11 / 05 / 22	4-4	3-5	+ -
Bullock is nursing a left knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the court against the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Ques Wed	Neck - 03 / 05 / 22	6-6	5-7	+ -
Kleber is dealing with a neck injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Sterling Brown (SG)	Prob Sat	Illness - 10 / 04 / 22	11-8	8-11	+ -
Brown is ailing from a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 09 / 04 / 22	12-8	9-11	+ -
Ntilikina is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but it is likely that he will play in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Jazz.
Marquese Chriss (PF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 08 / 04 / 22	12-8	9-11	+ -
Chriss was held out of the previous game due to a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Spurs.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22	13-9	11-11	+ -
Kleber is hindered with right ankle soreness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22	15-9	13-11	+ -
Ntilikina sat out the last game due to a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Wizards on Friday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)	Out Wed	Rest - 30 / 03 / 22	15-9	13-11	+ -
Dinwiddie will not face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, as he will be given a day of rest.
Trey Burke (PG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 29 / 03 / 22	16-9	13-12	+ -
Burke is in the league's health and safety protocol, but it is likely that he will return for Wednesday's game versus the Pistons.
Sterling Brown (SG)	Prob Fri	Personal - 25 / 03 / 22	17-10	13-14	+ -
Brown missed the last game due to a personal issue, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Trail Blazers on Friday.

Utah

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	2-5	+ -
Bogdanovic will not face the Trail Blazers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Trent Forrest (PG)	Out Thurs	Foot - 07 / 04 / 22	3-5	4-5	+ -
Forrest is hindered by a left mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round against the Mavericks.
Mike Conley (PG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 06 / 04 / 22	3-6	4-6	+ -
Conley missed the previous game due to a sore right knee, but it is projected that he will face the Suns on Friday.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 06 / 04 / 22	3-6	4-6	+ -
O'Neal missed the previous outing with a sore right thumb, but it is projected that he will hit the court Friday against the Suns.
Trent Forrest (PG)	Prob Wed	Concussion - 30 / 03 / 22	3-9	6-7	+ -
Forrest has missed the last three games due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Wednesday.
Hassan Whiteside (C)	Prob Sat	Foot - 24 / 03 / 22	3-11	7-8	+ -
Whiteside has been held out of the previous four games with a minor bone spur fracture, but it is expected that he will be active Saturday against the Warriors.
Mike Conley (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 19 / 03 / 22	6-12	8-10-1	+ -
Conley will not take on the Knicks on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Hassan Whiteside (C)	Ques Sun	Illness - 18 / 03 / 22	6-12	8-10-1	+ -
Whiteside missed the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will battle the Knicks on Sunday.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 15 / 03 / 22	6-13	9-11-1	+ -
House Jr. has been idle with a left knee bone contusion, but it is likely that he will return against the Lakers on Thursday.
Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 14 / 03 / 22	6-13	9-11-1	+ -
Bogdanovic has been idle with a left calf strain, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Lakers on Thursday.