Jan. 8, 2026, 10:49 a.m. ET
The Dallas Mavericks (14-23) visit the Utah Jazz (12-24) on Thursday. Tip-off from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, is at 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Mavericks vs. Jazz odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Jazz lead 1-0
The Mavericks have lost 6 of their last 9 games, but come into this game with a 2-game winning streak. On Tuesday, they beat the Sacramento Kings 100-98 on the road, but failed to cover the 4.5-point spread as favorites as the Under (233.5) cashed.
The Jazz are 2-8 in their last 10 games and have lost 5 in a row. They lost 129-125 in overtime Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Thunder, covering the 19-point spread as road underdogs with the Over (243.5) cashing.
The Jazz beat the Mavs 140-133 in overtime in Salt Lake City on Dec. 15. They were 1-point underdogs and the Over (241.5) cashed as G Keyonte George scored 37 points and F Lauri Markkanen added 33 with 6 boards to outshine Mavericks rookie F Cooper Flagg and his 42 points.
Watch the NBA on Fubo!Mavericks at Jazz odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:36 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Mavericks -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Jazz +200 (bet $100 to win $200)Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks -6.5 (-115) | Jazz +6.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 240.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Mavericks at Jazz key injuries
Mavericks
G Dante Exum (knee) outG Kyrie Irving (knee) outC Dereck Lively II (foot) outF P.J. Washington (ankle) doubtfulG Brandon Williams (heel) questionable
Jazz
(Not yet submitted — below was for Wednesday’s game)
G Ace Bailey (hip) questionableC Walker Kessler (shoulder) outF Kevin Love (rest) outF Georges Niang (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Mavericks at Jazz picks and predictionsPrediction
Jazz 125, Mavericks 121
The Mavs are entering with a 2-game winning streak, while the Jazz have dropped 5 straight games, but the Mavs are 4-12 on the road and had lost 7 straight away games before Tuesday’s win over the Kings.
The Jazz are 8-11 at home and beat the Mavs there last month.
Dallas has scored more than 120 points just twice in their last 10 games, averaging 113.7 points per game. The Jazz have averaged 120.1 in their last 10.
Dallas has won more than 2 games in a row only once this season, winning 3 straight games from Nov. 29-Dec. 3.
The Jazz are due for a win, and the Mavs are not the strongest opponent. It is a great night for a lucrative upset.
BET JAZZ (+200).
The Jazz +6.5 (-105) are 20-16 ATS overall this season and have covered the spread in 4 of their last 8 losses, so you can play it safer with an ATS bet on them. However, the Mavs’ struggles on the road and the Jazz’ play at home overall this season make plus odds on the ML too good to pass up.
PASS.
Their first meeting, albeit in overtime, had a total of 273, but it was at 258 after regulation.
Nine of the last 12 games for the Jazz have had totals above 241 points. Eight of their 12 wins have surpassed that.
BET OVER 240.5 (-110).
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