Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks 4/16/22 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The NBA playoffs will tip-off with a Saturday afternoon clash between the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks from the American Airlines Center. The fifth-seeded Jazz (49-33) are a game below .500 on the road and rank seventh in the league in scoring (113.6 ppg). Last time out, Utah outscored Portland by 19 points during the second half to pull away for a 111-80 road victory against Portland.

Utah F Juancho Hernangomez tallied a game-high 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting and pulled down eight boards. All-Star C Rudy Gobert contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz.

The Dallas Mavericks won 29 of their 41 home games and enter the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the league. In the regular season finale, Dallas outscored San Antonio by 15 points during the third quarter of a 130-120 home victory. The Mavericks (52-30)  connected on 20-for-36 from long distance and shot 54 percent overall.

All-Star G Luka Doncic led all scorers with 26 points to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists for the Mavericks.