Western Conference Teams Battle for Momentum in Salt Lake City
1. Game Overview
The Dallas Mavericks will travel to face the Utah Jazz in a Western Conference matchup on January 8. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:10 PM EST at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Based on search results, this game will feature two teams looking to improve on their sub-.500 records and build consistency as the season progresses. Live coverage and streaming information for the game can be found on services like Fubo TV.
2. Team Form and Analysis
Dallas Mavericks (14-23)
The Mavericks enter this contest having struggled to find a consistent rhythm this season. According to game log data, Dallas is 2-3 in its last five games and has averaged just 109.4 points per game during that stretch, indicating a recent downturn in offensive production. The team’s overall record of 14-23 reflects their ongoing challenges. Historically, the Mavericks have an 85-110 all-time regular-season record against the Jazz, though they have had more success in the modern era. To secure a road victory, Dallas will need to elevate its offensive efficiency and find ways to score against a Jazz team that has put up significant points recently, despite its own struggles.
Utah Jazz (12-24)
The Utah Jazz are also in a difficult phase of their season, holding a 12-24 record. Despite their struggles in the win column, the Jazz have demonstrated a potent offense. Over their last 10 games, Utah has averaged 120.1 points per game. However, this offensive output has not translated to wins, as the team has a record of just 2-8 during that span, highlighting significant defensive deficiencies. Playing at home, the Jazz will look to leverage their high-scoring offense to control the tempo of the game and challenge a Mavericks team that has been inconsistent on both ends of the floor.
3. Injury Report
The Dallas Mavericks will be without a key offensive player.
- Dallas Mavericks: PG Kyrie Irving is expected to be out until mid-February with a knee issue. PF PJ Washington (ankle) and PG Brandon Williams (heel) are listed as game-time decisions.
- Utah Jazz: PF Georges Niang is expected to be out until at least January 12 with a foot issue. PF Kevin Love is a game-time decision due to rest.
4. ATS Trends
Analysis of against-the-spread (ATS) performance reveals a notable contrast between the two teams this season.
- Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks hold a 16-21-0 ATS record, covering the spread in only 43.2% of their games. They have an average ATS margin of -0.7, meaning they fail to cover the spread by an average of 0.7 points.
- Utah Jazz: The Jazz have been one of the league’s better teams against the spread, with a 20-16-0 ATS record. They have covered in 55.6% of their contests and have a positive average ATS margin of +0.7, indicating they typically outperform the betting line by an average of 0.7 points.
5. Betting Odds Breakdown
- Spread: The Dallas Mavericks are listed as 5-point favorites (-5). This means for a bet on the Mavericks to win, they must win the game by more than 5 points. The Utah Jazz are 5-point underdogs (+5), meaning a bet on them wins if they win the game outright or lose by 4 points or fewer.
- Total (Over/Under): The game total is set at 242.5 points. Bettors can wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under this number.
6. Prediction
This matchup features two teams with losing records, but their performance against the betting market tells a different story. The Mavericks enter as 5-point road favorites but have been one of the least reliable teams against the spread this season (43.2% cover rate) and will be without the offensive firepower of Kyrie Irving. Their path to victory and covering the spread involves their defense stepping up to contain a high-scoring Jazz offense while finding enough scoring on the road to win by at least six points.
The Utah Jazz, despite their poor 12-24 record, have been a strong bet as underdogs, covering the spread in 55.6% of their games. Their path to victory involves leveraging their home-court advantage and potent offense to keep the game close or pull off an outright win. Given Dallas’s struggles to cover the spread, especially on the road, and Utah’s consistent ability to outperform expectations, the Jazz are well-positioned to cover the +5 spread. An outright upset is a distinct possibility.
Prediction: Utah Jazz +5.
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.
Sources:
Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz Head-to-Head in the NBA Regular …
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Basketball Head To Head, Score …
Utah Jazz v Dallas Mavericks LIVE 09/01/2026 | Basketball …
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks head to head
Jazz vs Mavericks scores & predictions | Sofascore
Mavs Vs Jazz Game Log | StatMuse
Alex Jensen – Men’s Basketball Head Coach – Utah Utes Athletics
Dallas Mavericks Vs Utah Jazz Head To Head Record | StatMuse
Coaching History – South Bay Lakers
NBA Team Standings & Stats | NBA.com