Mavericks End Jazz Season With Come From Behind Win

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz season ended at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks with a 98-96 loss in Game 6 of the opening round of the playoffs.

The Jazz led by 12 at halftime, but for the 18th time this season the Jazz let a double-digit lead slip away into a loss. The Jazz also blew a double-digit second-half lead in Game 2 of the series.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 23 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists while Luka Doncic carried the Mavericks to victory with a 24 point, nine rebound, eight assist series ending performance.

First Quarter

It was a slow start on offense for both teams as both the Jazz and Mavericks struggled to shoot the ball from deep in the first quarter.

The Jazz were able to have success in their half-court offense while Dallas took advantage of takeaways.

Donovan Mitchell gets started quick with a corner 3⃣🔥#UtahJazz #TakeNote #NBAPlayoffs2022 https://t.co/PuwP3lxFpk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 29, 2022

The Jazz shot just 3-12 from the three-point line in the opening quarter but held Dallas to an even worse 0-10 performance.

After one, the Jazz led the Mavericks 21-15.

Second Quarter

Dallas opened the second on a 7-1 run to knot the game up at 22, and the two teams traded baskets over the first seven minutes of the quarter.

However, the Jazz made a determined effort to get downhill against the Mavericks’ smaller frontcourt and found repeated success at the rim.

Donovan Mitchell showing no ill-effects on second quarter drive to the bucket #TakeNote #UtahJazz #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/wyfQKGQZq9

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 29, 2022

The Jazz closed the half on an 18-5 run over the final five and a half minutes of the second quarter to build their biggest lead of the game.

At the half, the Jazz led Dallas 53-41.

Third Quarter

After a brutal shooting first half, the Mavericks caught fire in the third repeatedly taking advantage of the Jazz pressure on Luka Doncic.

Dallas shot 8-12 from the three-point line in the third quarter led by Reggie Bullock, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Doncic who hit two each.

Mitchell creates space before knocking down open 3⃣🔥 in second half battle vs. Mavericks.#TakeNote #UtahJazz #NBAPlayoffshttps://t.co/hjSjW8pKta

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 29, 2022

The Jazz were outscored 36-19 in the quarter as their 12 point halftime lead quickly evaporated.

After three, the Jazz trailed the Mavericks 77-72.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz went small to open the third quarter and trimmed the Mavericks’ lead to as little as two, but Doncic was able to keep Dallas ahead with consistent playmaking and drives to the rim.

Every time the Jazz trimmed the score close, the Mavericks answered with a big three-pointer to keep the game out of reach, including an enormous Dorian Finney-Smith three with 3:59 left to break an 88-88 tie.

This close to a Game 7.

Great ATO from Quin Snyder, terrific execution, game of inches.#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/nw5O4pPpZB

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 29, 2022

The Jazz had the ball down one with under 10 seconds to play, but Mike Conley committed an unforced travel to give the ball back to Dallas. On the final play of the season, Bojan Bogdanovic missed an open three that would have sent the series back to Dallas for Game 7, but it rimmed out at the buzzer.

The Mavericks ended the Jazz season in Game 6 with a 98-96 win.

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