T.M. Selection: Dallas Mavericks.

I like the Dallas Mavericks to cover the spread in this game on Saturday. The Mavericks have looked really good in their games lately and I think they can continue on their run into the playoffs here winning this 1st game of the series. They have won 4 games in a row now and they even won 7/8 of their final 8 games of the regular season when they had already pretty much locked up a spot in the playoffs. They have been putting up a ton of points in their games too and I expect them to have a huge game on the offensive end. They have put up 125+ points in 3 games in a row now and I think they are going to be a handful for the Jazz on their home court here. The Mavericks have looked even better on their home court in their games lately, they have won 6 home games in a row now and have won all of those games by 10+ points, including a home win over the Jazz during that time. The Jazz haven't looked great lately and I think their issues are going to pop up in this game with it being in such a hostile environment for them. Luka Doncic is going to miss this game which does give a bit of a blow to the Mavericks here but they have been getting on fine without him lately and there is also a chance that Donovan Mitchell is going to miss this game for the Jazz. He is questionable with an illness but even if he plays he might not be at his best and the team really struggles when he's out of the rotation. I think the Mavericks are going to hold up fine in this game on their home court and I think they can even pull off a huge win on their home court here. I like the Mavericks to cover the spread.

T.M. Prediction: 112-107 Mavericks.