Donovan Mitchell Pump-Fakes, Hits Pretty Floater During Jazz/Mavs Game

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell pump-faked and hit a beautiful floater during the first half of Utah’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks hosted the Jazz at American Airlines Center for Game 2 of the first round playoff series on Monday, April 18.

With 7:58 left in the second quarter, Mitchell moved the defense with a nice pump fake in the paint. The trick created space for the fifth-year guard to push a floater towards the bucket.

Mitchell’s shot found the bottom of the net to give the Jazz a 32-27 lead.

Bird's 👁 view pic.twitter.com/0IzwRLdrSO

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 19, 2022

Late in the first half, Mitchell had 11 points on 5-10 shooting, including 1-3 from beyond the arc. He added three assists during his first 15 minutes on the floor.

During the regular season, Mitchell averaged 25.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.

Jazz vs. Mavericks

Utah will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead when they face the Mavericks in game two of their first-round playoff series.

The Jazz won game one 99-93 against a shorthanded Mavericks team who was playing without superstar Luka Doncic due to a calf strain suffered in Dallas’s regular season finale.

GAME TWO. Will the @utahjazz return home with a 2-0 lead?

📻: @ZoneSportsNet / @kslnewsradio
📺: @NBATV
🎧: https://t.co/yTfV2Fd1rE #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Opwx6qud3J

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 18, 2022

Jazz Look To Take First Two Road Games

Despite an uneven offensive performance in game one, the Jazz hope to take a 2-0 series lead when they face the Mavericks on Monday night at American Airlines Arena.

Donovan Mitchell shot just 1-9 in the first half against Dallas but scored 30 second-half points becoming the first player in the NBA over the last 25 years to cross the 30 point mark in four separate playoff halves.

Bojan Bogdanovic carried the Jazz offensive in the first half scoring 20 points to overcome Mitchell’s slow start and finished the game with 26 points in the win.

Rudy Gobert failed to make his one field goal attempt, marking the first time since December 15, 2017, that the star finished a game without a made field goal. The last time it happened Gobert left a game against the Boston Celtics with a knee injury early in the first quarter.

Luka Dončić

The Mavericks will once again be without All-Star guard Luka Doncic when they host the Jazz in game two of their opening round playoff matchup.

Doncic was absent in the Jazz 99-93 victory over the Mavericks after suffering a calf strain in Dallas’s season finale win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Luka is out for game 2 but keeping warm. #takenote pic.twitter.com/xAOKxaIP6x

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 18, 2022

The guard was listed as doubtful on Sunday but downgraded by coach Jason Kidd shortly before tip-off on Tuesday night.

Prior to the postseason opener, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the injury could seriously impact Doncic’s availability to open the series.

“I’m told this is more than just a mild calf strain,” Wojnarowski said. “The Mavericks are very much preparing for the possibility of not only maybe not having him in game one, but maybe even game two.”

The @dallasmavs will once again be without Luka Doncic tonight when they host the @utahjazz in Game 2. #TakeNote | #MFFL https://t.co/yvLXnxtCKJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 18, 2022

The Mavericks are 8-10 in games this season when playing without Doncic, and just 1-9 against playoff opponents including Saturday’s loss to open the series.

Doncic was the NBA’s third-leading scorer during the regular season and fifth-leading assist man.

Veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie started in Doncic’s absence and scored 22 points on 6-15 shooting. Dinwiddie did miss six of his game-high 16 free-throw attempts, and all four of his three-point shots.

Doncic leads the Mavericks in points, rebounds, assists, and steals this season, and is one of the more difficult players to replace in the NBA due to his high usage and excellent efficiency.

Game 2️⃣

📻 LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @dallasmavs on @ZoneSportsNet, @kslnewsradio, and the @kslsports app 🎷🏀#TakeNote #UTAvsDAL #NBA #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/LqmyLf0ake

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 19, 2022

Utah’s game against Dallas is broadcast on NBA TV, AT&T SportsNet, KSL NewsRadio, and The Zone Sports Network

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