Jazz get even with Mavericks
The 2022 NBA playoffs are offering up another appetizing slate of games Saturday.
The big news was that Luka Doncic made his 2022 playoff debut for the Dallas Mavericks, but the Utah Jazz won the game, 100-99.
Rudy Gobert had 17 points, 10 rebounds and scored the game-winning basket to help the Jazz even the series, 2-2.
In the other completed game, Pascal Siakam dropped a playoff career-high 34 points, helping the Toronto Raptors to a 110-102 Game 4 win over the Philadelphia 76ers to avoid a sweep.
Philadelphia still leads the series 3-1. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA playoff series.
The Nets host the Celtics for Game 3 in Brooklyn and may have Ben Simmons in the lineup soon. Boston leads the series 2-0. The Timberwolves are looking to bounce back in Game 4 in Minnesota from a total collapse against the Grizzles. Memphis leads 2-1.
EXPERT PICKS:Phoenix Suns over Milwaukee Bucks in Finals a safe bet?
NETS ON THE ROPES: Could Ben Simmons return for Nets in Game 4?
Check out USA TODAY Sports’ analysis from all of Saturday’s action:
Jazz even series with Mavericks
Dallas trailed by as many 16 and had shot the ball poorly in the first half. The Mavericks reversed that in the second half, took the lead only for Utah to sneak away with a 100-99 victory in Game 4. The series is tied at 2-2, and Game 5 is Monday (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
Utah’s Rudy Gobert scored the game-winner on a lob from Donovan Mitchell (23 points), and Spencer Dinwiddie missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Jazz did not want Dallas star Luka Doncic to win the game on the final possession, and Dallas forward Dwight Powell missed two frees with the Mavs ahead 99-98.
Doncic made his 2022 playoff debut after sustaining a left calf strain in the season finale and had 30 points and 10 rebounds. It was a strong performance after missing two weeks, and the Mavs needed every bit of that performance to stay in the game.
This was not a game for offensive purists – Utah’s Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic (12 points), Royce O’Neal and Mike Conley were a combined 5-for-25 on 3-pointers – just 20%. Hard to win a playoff game with your main shooters slumping, but the Jazz did it.
Former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson saved Utah from a 3-1 deficit with 25 points.
It’s clear this series is not a good matchup for Gobert (Dallas doesn’t have a true center who plays in low post), and that’s not all his fault. The lack of Utah’s perimeter defense hasn’t helped Gobert be as effective as he can be. Still, Gobert had 17 points and 15 rebounds – and the winning basket.
Robert Williams III returns to Celtics lineup
The Celtics, already up 2-0 in their series against the Brooklyn Nets, got another shot of good news, announcing that Robert Williams III will play in Saturday’s Game 3. Williams’ return will boost the Celtics’ already stellar defense. He is expected to play short stints that will total 20-24 minutes.