Dallas at Utah
Time: 9 PM ET, Apr 8, 2014
Spread: DAL -7
Total: 200
Betting odds courtesy of 5dimes
Dallas is clinging to a 1.5 game lead over Memphis and a half game lead over No. 8 Phoenix for the 7th spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. If the playoffs began today, Dallas would square off against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Mavs are 20-17 on the road and will travel to take on the Utah Jazz in a game NBA oddsmakers are favoring the Mavericks by seven points.
Dallas edged out Sacramento 93-91 on Sunday (Apr 6) night, behind 23 points from shooting guard Monta Ellis. Dirk Nowitzki had an off night shooting, hitting just 5-of-17 from the floor, but Ellis and Calderon (5/10 FG, 14 points) stepped up to carry the Mavs over the lowly Kings.
Vince Carter was productive off the bench, scoring 17 points in 25 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting. Carter is averaging 12.1 points per game on the season, and is third on the team in scoring behind Ellis and Nowitzki. The Mavs have produced an exciting year of basketball, but it is doubtful the team has the defense necessary to thrive in the playoffs. OKC will be a tough challenge, if things shake out as they are currently.
Utah is a team in the first year of a rebuild following the departure of All-Stars Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. The Jazz have been exciting and though just 24-53, it is a team loaded with prospects. Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward are both good developing young players. Hayward will be a restricted free agent, and the Jazz may not keep him if the team acquires Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins in the draft. The swingman from Butler is averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while posting a PER of 16.27.
DAL Trends: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 vs teams with winning percentage below .400; 1-6 ATS in last 7 following SU win; OVER 6-1 in last 7 following ATS loss.
UTA Trends: OVER 4-0 in last 4 vs teams with winning percentage above .600; 3-0-1 ATS in last 4 home games vs teams with winning road records; 0-3-2 ATS in last 5 overall.
Head-to-head: OVER 4-1 in last 5 meetings in Utah; Mavericks 5-2 ATS in last 7 meetings in Utah; OVER 7-3 in last 10 meetings.
