Oddsmakers Aren't Confident that Luka Doncic Will Return in Jazz-Mavericks Series
By Reed Wallach
One underdog won on Monday's 3 game NBA Playoffs slate.
The Dallas Mavericks evened the series with the Utah Jazz behind a heroic 41-point outing from Jalen Brunson as the team awaits word on Luka Doncic's strained calf. Doncic hasn't played in either postseason game and there is still no word when he will return, but oddsmakers at WynnBET Sportsbook are not expecting it to be soon enough.
Let's take a look at the updated series price for Jazz vs. Mavericks as well as the opening Game 3 odds as the series shifts back to Utah tied.
Jazz vs. Mavericks Updated Series Price
- Jazz: -240
- Mavericks: +195
Jazz vs. Mavericks Game 3 Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Mavericks: +7 (-110)
- Jazz: -7 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Mavericks: +255
- Jazz: -330
Total: 210.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Looking at the Game 3 odds, and series price as a whole, oddsmakers are still bearish on the idea that Doncic is rushing to the rescue. There is no firm timetable for his return, but Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said that the superstar guard is "going in the right direction."
"I think he's definitely going in the right direction," Kidd says of Doncic. "He's doing more every day." https://t.co/sBE6jbkell
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 18, 2022
Here is a clip from the Mavs' Tuesday shootaround that you can analyze to see if Doncic can take the floor for Thursday's Game 3 in Salt Lake City.
Luka Doncic ramping up his activity level, and getting a few more shots up pic.twitter.com/ZtGbDKDBbz
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) April 17, 2022
All in all, I see some value in grabbing the Mavs on the spread in Game 3, but from a series price perspective I would sit tight until we get further clarity on Doncic's status. The Game 2 win may buy the team extra time to sit Doncic for Game 3 and bring him back for Game 4 now that the series is even at 1. Here's what Spencer Dinwiddie said following the victory.
Spencer Dinwiddie on tying the series without Luka Doncic: "We buy him time. It's not rocket science. We want to have him back as quickly and safely and health-ily as possible, but we're still trying to win the series, regardless."
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) April 19, 2022
If the guard can't go in Game 3, I still believe the Mavericks can hang around the number, but think they are far less likely to win outright again. Now, if we find out Doncic will be on the floor before Game 4, I will be jumping on the Mavericks to win the series. The team is more cohesive and a somewhat limited Doncic can still handle this Jazz team that appears uninterested in putting this team away.
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!