Dallas Mavericks 103, Utah Jazz 97
Dallas recorded its 12th consecutive victory with the 103-97 win over Utah on Saturday. It marks the seventh time in franchise history the Mavericks have won at least 12 games in a row. Dallas has recorded nine double-digit winning streaks all-time.
The Mavericks opened the game by shooting 11-of-12 from the field (including 7-of-8 from 3-point range) and took a 25-point lead (29-4) with just over 7 minutes gone by in the first quarter. Utah responded with a 10-0 run to cut the Dallas lead to 15 (29-14) with 1:57 to go in the period. The Mavs finished the quarter 13-of-18 (.722) from the floor (7-of-10 from 3-point range) and held a 34-19 advantage at the end of one. The seven 3-pointers tied a Dallas record for the most 3-point baskets in a quarter (seven on four other occasions). Jason Kidd converted a 3-point play off of a Shawn Marion lob pass at the end of the period to push the Dallas lead back up to 15 heading into the second quarter. The 34 first-quarter points marked a season-high for Dallas (previous high
31 on two occasions). Dallas led the entire game (game was tied once).
Dirk Nowitzki recorded 31 points (10-12 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 8-11 FTs) and a season-high 15 rebounds en route to his 350th career double-double (eighth this season) vs. Utah on Saturday. Nowitzki, who entered the game shooting 56 percent from the field, went a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor (3-of-3 from beyond the arc) in the first quarter. He made his first 9-of-10 shots in the game (including his first six) after making his first 8-of-9 field goal attempts in his previous outing vs. New Jersey on Dec. 9. Nowitzki went 83.3 percent from the floor on the night. He’s shot above 80 percent from the floor (minimum 10 field goal attempts) 10 times in his career. Four of those games have come this season (also 10/27 vs. Charlotte, 11/26 at San Antonio and 12/9 vs. New Jersey).
With the win, the Mavericks improved to above .500 all-time as a franchise. Dallas now holds a record of 1226-1225 all-time. Dallas has had 10 consecutive seasons with 50-plus wins.
Dallas tallied a season-high 14 3-pointers (14-of-26 3FGs) vs. Utah on Saturday. The Mavs are now 3-0 this season when they make 10-plus 3-pointers in a game. Dallas was 13-1 when they recorded 10-plus 3-point field goals in a game last year.
