The story
Opinion Jazz and Mavericks enter with injuries and rotation questions
Locked On Jazz hosts say Utah's offense has stagnated and the rotation is unsettled, while the NBA injury report lists Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic out for Utah and Dereck Lively II out for Dallas.
Sources: Jaren Jackson Jr. status (NBA report) · Jusuf Nurkic status (NBA report) · Dereck Lively II status (NBA report) · Locked On Jazz “DESPAIR or HOPE: Utah Jazz, Keyonte George a SPLIT” at 20:55 · Locked On Jazz “POSTCAST - Pelicans BITE the Utah Jazz in overtime” at 5:55
More from the game (3)
- Opinion Kyrie Irving back on the ball after ACL recovery
Hardwood Knocks host Dan Favale says Irving is handling the ball more than in years and looks physically sound, though the Mavs are outscored with him and Flagg apart.
Sources: Hardwood Knocks “Everyone Was Wrong About The Trail Blazers | Coope” at 1:16:51 · Locked On Mavericks “How a Brutal Early Schedule Is Hiding What the Dal” at 14:15
- Opinion Jazz offense searches for identity under Will Hardy
Hosts on Locked On Jazz say Hardy's motion-offense plan has not materialized, and a switch to middle high pick-and-roll through George and Markkanen opened things up in the second half.
Sources: Locked On Jazz “POSTCAST - Pelicans BITE the Utah Jazz in overtime” at 3:37, 3:59, 5:55
- Rumor Sasser's minutes shrink as Clayton earns closing trust
Locked On Mavericks hosts say Marcus Sasser has had short minutes and may be in the doghouse, while Walter Clayton Jr. played 21 minutes and was trusted to close games.
Sources: Locked On Mavericks “Why Trusting Kyrie Irving Was the Right Play vs Vi” at 24:14, 27:50 · Locked On Mavericks “FULL LIVE STREAM Mavs vs Spurs | Cooper Flagg, Kyr” at 3:16:12
Written by Hoop Dossier from the reports, posts and podcasts linked here, in our own words. updated . Rumors and opinions are labeled.