The Utah Jazz is sitting in prime position with 1-0 lead heading into Game 2

The Utah Jazz are sitting in prime position as they hold a 1-0 series lead over the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks team. 

The Utah Jazz were able to steal Game 1 on the road over the Dallas Mavericks, with a 99-93 victory over the weekend. Utah only had a six-point margin of victory, and that was without the Mavericks’ best player, Luka Doncic.

Being down one game does not mean the series is over, but Doncic is listed as doubtful for Game 2 tonight.

Leading the Jazz in scoring was none other than Donovan Mitchell, with 32 points in 42 minutes played. He also led the team with six assists in Game 1. Despite shooting 10-29 from the field, Mitchell still scored over 30 points, while also going 10-11 from the free-throw line. Mitchell’s dominance even on an off night is promising for Utah.

A player that the Mavericks are going to struggle with all series is “The Stifle Tower,” Rudy Gobert. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) is a finalist once again for the award. He is an absolute beast on the glass and not many players in the NBA can match up with his size.

Gobert led the team in rebounding for Game 1 with 17.

Utah has no serious injuries this late in the season and that is always beneficial in the playoffs. Health can play as big a factor as any in the postseason. The Dallas Mavericks are well aware of this. Not having Luka Doncic available to play is extremely tough. He does so much for Dallas.

Even without Doncic in Game 1, the Mavericks only lost by six points and that has to be considered a huge positive for them. It’s something the team can build off of.

The leading scorers for the Mavericks in Game 1 were Jalen Brunson (24) and Spencer Dinwiddie (22). Brunson had his best regular season as a pro, having career-highs in points (16.3), rebounds, (3.9), and assists (4.8). He was also extremely reliable for the Mavericks this season. He played in 79 of the 82 regular-season games.

One area of the game that is overlooked by casual NBA fans, is how important it is to have a true big-man who is dominant on the boards. Utah has that in Rudy Gobert. The Mavericks are not as lucky in that regard.

A mid-season trade sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards. This left the Mavericks without someone who could go toe-to-toe with Gobert. The Mavericks got out-rebounded 53-34, and that is a huge reason why they lost. A difference in rebounds that large is almost always going to result in a loss.

Leading the Mavericks for rebounds in Game 1 was the 6-foot-1 Jalen Brunson, with seven. That just cannot happen in the playoffs.

Luka is most likely out for Game 2 tonight, as he tries to get healthy enough to make a return for game three in Utah. The Jazz will not be holding anything back, as they try to steal two road games before they head back to Utah for games three and four.

The Mavericks will have a tall task at hand if they want to split the series after two games. Will Dallas be able to sneak out a victory at home, or will the Jazz take a 2-0 series lead heading back home?