UTAH JAZZ (45-29) AT MAVERICKS (45-29)Luka

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: BSSW

Radio: The Eagle, 97.1 FM; Univision 99.1 FM (Spanish)

About the Mavericks: A lot will be at stake tonight in what is the biggest game at American Airlines Center thus far this season. The winner will be in the driver’s seat as far as nabbing (at least) the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed is concerned. In fact, if the Mavs run the table and win their final eight games, they will at least finish fourth out West with a chance of finishing third – depending on what happens with the Golden State Warriors (48-26). The No. 3-seeded and injury-riddled Warriors are just 5-9 in their last 14 games and are only three games ahead of the Mavs. In case the Mavs and Warriors end the season with identical record, the first tie-breaker – head-to-head – goes to the Mavs by virtue of their 3-1 record against Golden State this season. . .But back to the Jazz. Utah holds a 2-1 edge over the Mavs in head-to-head competition this season. The Jazz won both games in Utah – 120-116 on Dec. 25 and 114-109 on Feb. 25. In the two team’s only matchup in Dallas this season, the Mavs prevailed, 111-103, on March 7. . .Sterling Brown (health and safety protocols), Theo Pinson (right fifth finger fracture) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (left foot surgery) will all miss tonight’s game. Davis Bertans (right knee soreness) is listed as probable and Trey Burke (non-Covid illness) is listed as questionable. . .The Mavs are coming off Friday’s 116-95 loss in Minnesota, but have won 10 of their last Dwight14 games and have a 25-12 home record, including a sparkling 17-4 worksheet during their last 21 home games. . .This is the first of a two-game home stand for the Mavs. They also entertain the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday before packing up and heading east for a four-game road trip which starts Wednesday in Cleveland and continues with games Friday in Washington, April 3 in Milwaukee and April 6 in Detroit. After that, the Mavs return home to wrap up the regular season against Portland (April 8) and San Antonio (April 10).

About the Jazz: The Mavs just may be catching the Jazz at the right time of the season, because Utah limps into Dallas with just a 6-7 record in its last 13 games. And the Jazz are only 1-3 on this six-game road trip, with losses in their last three games. . .The Jazz opened the trip with a 108-93 win against the New York Knicks on March 20. But since then, Utah lost in Brooklyn (114-106) last Monday, were blown out in Boston (125-97) this past Wednesday, and lost in Charlotte (107-101) on Friday. . .After tonight, the road trip continues with a game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers before Utah returns home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. From there, the Jazz play at the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, have a three-game home stand against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 5, the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 6 and the Phoenix Suns on April 8 before ending the regular season on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 10. . .Utah leads the Northeast Division, but are only two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets (43-31) CHECK TONIGHT’S OKC-DENVER RESULTS and just two-and-a-half games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-32). In case tie-breakers come into play, the Jazz swept the Nuggets, 4-0, this season, and were 3-1 against the Timberwolves. . .The Jazz own a 19-18 record on the road. . .In the loss to Charlotte, Donovan Mitchell collected 26 points and seven assists, Jordan Clarkston scored 19 points, and Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and 19 rebounds. The Jazz led that game, 78-77, after three quarters, but were outscored, 30-23, in the fourth quarter.

Twitter: @DwainPrice

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