The Utah Jazz have had a disappointing start to their bubble campaign. With just two wins in their first six games, they have slid from fourth to sixth. They started with a win against the Pelicans and it has gone downhill since then. The Dallas Mavericks have also had a not so great start, going 2-3 from their first five games.

For the Mavericks, it’s just been a Luka Doncic-Kristaps Porzingis show. The duo has been lighting it up especially the 21-year old Slovenian. He has single-handedly kept the Mavs alive in multiple games. His last game was a majestic performance against the Bucks where he recorded 36 points, 14 rebounds, and 19 assists.

In the five games so far, Luka is now averaging 33.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 11.6 assists. He is supported by Porzingis who is quietly averaging 29.4 points and 10.4 rebounds.

Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz to miss their best players?

The Utah Jazz have been led by Donovan Mitchell but he himself hasn’t been at his best. He is currently averaging 23.8 points but is shooting just 38% from the field. Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and Joe Ingles have all stepped but it still hasn’t been enough for the Jazz. When they came into the bubble, they had the potential to go third, but this slump has just made them go down.

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The Salt Lake Tribune’s Eric Walden reported that Mitchell has been listed as questionable for the game against the Mavericks tonight. That is the only significant absence for the Jazz. The Jazz will be expecting Jordan Clarkson to improve and step up in Mitchell’s absence. He has been shooting poorly so far, so he can redeem himself with a good game, and gain some momentum for the playoffs.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, will miss both of their best players. Both of them have been listed under “injury recovery,” as the Mavs hope to get them to 100% before the playoffs begin. Their seventh seed seems locked so they can afford to rest their promising European duo.

With these stars missing, it could be a dull game. But considering how the Mavericks have been reliant on their dynamic duo, their absence could hurt them. They have been the difference for the Mavs in every game, so their absence will be a big loss. The Jazz still have other solid players, unlike the Mavericks. So this could tilt the odds in favor of the Jazz.

Conley has been much better than he was throughout the season, and he will be too much to handle for Trey Burke. Gobert has also stepped up offensively and without a dominant figure like Porzingis in the paint, he could have a big say in the result.

Sources:

Eric Walden on Twitter

Mavericks stars Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis won’t face Jazz

Basketball-Reference