Dallas has covered six of the last seven meetings with Utah, and this spread is higher than all but one of those games. Luka Doncic is likely out for this one, but I’m good with the Mavericks without him because of the mindset Jason Kidd has instilled into his team. They hustle and play hard. Utah has outrebounded Dallas in the first two games, 53-34 and 50-31, but the Jazz play lazy defense and try for steals. Lazy defense partly explains why Utah is 3-10 against-the-spread in its last 13 games. I took the points with Dallas.

With or without Luka Doncic, the Mavericks showed they have the role players capable of stepping up when necessary in Game 2. All the pressure now is on a Jazz team that has underachieved time and time again in the postseason. While Dallas may not display the same offensive firepower it did in Game 2, look for Utah to have poor stretches that will keep the Mavericks in the game. Take Dallas.

I'm going to jump on this while it's under -270 as now Luka Doncic is considered doubtful. Could Dallas cover the spread without him? Sure, but win in Salt Lake City? Doubt it. I will parlay this with Carolina over Winnipeg (-270) in the NHL.

The big question mark surrounding this game is the status of Luka Doncic (calf), who is officially listed as questionable. He didn’t play in either of the first two games of the series, but it’s still tied at one game apiece. Jalen Brunson exploded for 41 points to help the Mavericks win Game 2, and even Game 1 was close considering they lost by just six points. If Doncic plays, they could win Game 3 outright. If he sits, I still think the Mavericks can keep things close. It’s also worth noting that the Jazz are just 17-22-1 ATS as home favorites.