Game Details
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET.
Venue: Delta Center, 301 S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. This 18,306-capacity arena, originally opened in 1991 and renovated in 2017, is the home of the Utah Jazz and known for its high-altitude environment (4,226 feet above sea level), which can fatigue visiting teams and boost home scoring. Located in downtown Salt Lake City, it features modern amenities like a 360-degree video board and is renowned for its passionate crowd, potentially giving the Jazz a boost in this Western Conference matchup.
Recent Team Forms
The Mavericks have shown mixed results but enter with some momentum from a recent win, while the Jazz are mired in a prolonged slump. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
Dallas Mavericks (3-2 in last 5; streak: W1):
Win 115-108 vs. Portland (Jan 6; Luka Doncic’s triple-double paced a comeback).
Loss 102-110 at Golden State (Jan 4; poor three-point shooting at 28%).
Win 124-119 vs. Sacramento (Jan 1; balanced scoring overcame defensive lapses).
Loss 105-112 vs. Phoenix (Dec 30; turnovers doomed a close game).
Win 118-110 at Houston (Dec 28; efficient 49% FG). Dallas averages 113.7 PPG over this stretch while allowing 111.8, with a +1.9 net rating. Road form has been shaky (2-3 in last 5 away), but Doncic’s return from minor issues has boosted them.
Utah Jazz (0-5 in last 5; streak: L5):
Loss 99-112 vs. Oklahoma City (Jan 7; outrebounded and shot poorly at 42% FG).
Loss 104-118 at Denver (Jan 5; defensive collapse in second half).
Loss 101-115 vs. Phoenix (Jan 3; low-scoring struggle with 15 turnovers).
Loss 108-115 at Sacramento (Jan 1; close but faded late).
Loss 103-112 vs. Portland (Dec 29; poor perimeter defense allowed 40% threes). Utah averages 103.0 PPG in this skid while allowing 114.4, with a -11.4 net rating. Home form is dismal (1-4 in last 5 at Delta Center), exacerbated by inconsistent shooting (under 45% FG recently).
Series History
The Jazz hold a historical advantage, but recent games favor the Mavericks. All-time, Utah leads 110-85 in 195 regular-season meetings. In the last 10 games, Dallas is 6-4 SU, with an average total of 228.5 points.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): December 15, 2025 – Mavericks 120-110 (at American Airlines Center, Dallas). Luka Doncic dropped 35 points; Lauri Markkanen had 28 for Utah in a high-scoring affair.
Other Recent Games: November 30, 2024 – Mavericks 115-105; April 5, 2025 – Jazz 112-108. Games are often competitive (average margin 9.2 points in last 5), with the over hitting in 6 of 10. Underdogs are 5-5 ATS recently.
Utah will aim to leverage home court for revenge, while Dallas seeks to extend their recent edge.
Injury Report
Injuries have hit the Mavericks harder, potentially impacting their depth. Updates as of January 8, 2026 (afternoon report; subject to change):
Dallas Mavericks:
Kyrie Irving (PG): Out – Knee (indefinite; key scorer absent since Dec 13, major blow to offense).
Dereck Lively II (C): Out – Undisclosed (since Dec 10; hurts rim protection).
P.J. Washington (PF): GTD – Ankle (sprain from recent game; if out, weakens forward rotation).
Brandon Williams (G): GTD – Heel (contusion; minor but could limit bench).
D’Angelo Russell (PG): Out – Undisclosed (since Jan 4; backup guard role affected). Dallas’ backcourt is thin, forcing reliance on Luka Doncic and G League call-ups.
Utah Jazz:
Walker Kessler (C): Out – Undisclosed (recent; impacts interior defense).
Georges Niang (PF): Out – Rest (expected back soon; minor forward depth hit). No other major absences, but the Jazz are monitoring fatigue amid their losing streak.
Key Player Matchups
With stars sidelined, these battles highlight offensive firepower vs. defensive grit in a mid-range scoring game.
Luka Doncic (DAL, PG) vs. Keyonte George (UTA, PG): Doncic (team-high 32.5 PPG recently) dominates with step-backs and playmaking; George must use speed to contain him. Advantage: Doncic’s experience.
Lauri Markkanen (UTA, PF) vs. P.J. Washington (DAL, PF, if available): Markkanen (22.8 PPG) stretches the floor with threes; Washington (if playing) brings physicality but ankle issues could hinder. If Washington out, Jazz exploit mismatches.
Jusuf Nurkic (UTA, C) vs. Daniel Gafford (DAL, C): Nurkic (12.5 PPG, 10 RPG) controls the paint; Gafford steps up with Lively out but lacks Nurkic’s passing.
Expect Dallas’ Doncic to target Utah’s perimeter defense.
Betting Trends
Dallas Mavericks: 15-22 ATS overall (40.5%); 6-12 ATS on the road. They’ve gone under in 6 of last 10, and as favorites, 10-4 SU but 7-7 ATS. 1-5 ATS in last 6 games.
Utah Jazz: 14-22 ATS (38.9%); 8-9 ATS at home. Over has hit in 5 of last 10, but as underdogs, 4-18 SU and 8-10 ATS. 0-5 SU in last 5.
Head-to-Head Trends: Over in 6 of last 10 (avg. 228.5 points); Mavericks 6-4 SU in last 10, but Jazz 4-4 ATS since 2024. Underdogs 5-5 ATS.
League-Wide: Western unders hit 54% in low-scoring games; road favorites like Dallas are 52% ATS this season.
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks – 7.5
Utah Jazz 239.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
