Photos: Dorothy J. Gentry
The Dallas Mavericks – playing without star Luka Dončić – lost Game 1 of their NBA first-round playoffs series with the Utah Jazz, 99-93 Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Center.
With the win, the Jazz, powered by star Donovan Mitchell’s 32 points, stole home court advantage from the Mavs.
“Overall, we slowed the game down and gave ourselves a chance to win without Luka and that really just shows the sign of a good team,” said Coach Jason Kidd. “We always feel we have a chance when you hold a team under 100 points.
Dončić was hurt in the last game of the regular season, April 10th when he suffered a calf injury. He was ruled out for today’s game as he continues to rehab and is listed as day-to-day by Coach Kidd.
Mavs guard Spencer Dinwidde chipped in 22 points in the loss. He chided himself after the game when talking to reporters because he missed several free throws, but still said all is not lost because they were able to hold the Jazz to under 100 points.
“If anything, this should be encouraging for the fan base, in my opinion,” Dinwiddie said. “We’re disappointed in the locker room. Give them credit. They won the game. But we had our chance to win it and we just didn’t do it.
“Myself, it’s inexcusable in a playoff game to miss six free throws,” he said. “And having their two best scorers both go for 30, basically and still holding them under 100, there’s a lot of room for optimism.” Game 2 is Monday night at American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m.
