Jazz vs. Mavericks on NBA Christmas Day: Live stream info, watch online, TV channel, odds, start time, pick

Two years ago, the Dallas Mavericks had the greatest offensive season in NBA history. They scored 115.9 points per 100 possessions, a seemingly unfathomable number at the time, but one that seven teams topped last season. One of them was the Utah Jazz, who are the only team to do so in 2021-22. They are scoring 116.8 points per 100 possessions when no other team is even putting up 113 this season. 

The aesthetics match the numbers. The No. 20-ranked Dallas offense has been as unimaginative as it has been ineffective. The Mavs are posting up more than they should, settling for mid-range jumpers and getting some of the worst basketball of Luka Doncic’s career. Even as they await the returns of several key players out in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, perhaps a midseason date with the Jazz will do the Mavericks some good. Utah is on the cutting edge of NBA offense now and it’s up to Dallas, and the rest of the NBA, to catch up. Here’s everything you need to know as they approach their Christmas Day showdown. 

Viewing information

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 25 | 10:30 p.m. ET  
• Location: Vivint Arena — Salt Lake City, Utah
• TV: ESPN | Live stream: WatchESPN  
  
  
• Odds: Jazz -12.0 | Over/Under: 214 (via Caesars Sportsbook)

Storylines

Mavericks: Utah is, in a way, the perfect test subject for Jason Kidd’s dedication to some of his odder schematic tendencies. Posting up three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert isn’t exactly a sensible tactic, for instance. Will Kidd continue to force feed Kristaps Porzingis those touches, or will he use Porzingis’ shooting to draw Gobert away from the basket, the only tactic that has ever had much success against Utah’s star center? 

This is a pretty basic strategy, but Kidd’s approach to coaching has always been unorthodox. The emphasis at the moment appears to be building Porzingis up even if that means costing Dallas points and even games. This game will be a good test of just how far the Mavericks are willing to go on that front. 

Jazz: Had Utah’s defense not utterly collapsed against the Clippers in the postseason last summer, the basketball-viewing public might have noticed the leap that Donovan Mitchell has made as one of the NBA’s best shot-creators. He tortured Los Angeles as easily as Luka Doncic did in the first two games of their second-round series, but a tweaked ankle cost Utah its best chance at a championship. 

Fortunately, Mitchell has picked up right where he left off. He’s hovering around 30 points per game in December on remarkable efficiency for a Utah offense that’s slaying everything in its path. Utah’s dubious postseason history will likely deprive Mitchell of the credit he deserves, but thus far this season, he’s been an All-NBA-caliber player that deserves this marquee stage.

Prediction

These two teams aren’t in the same universe right now. The Jazz are playing arguably the best basketball in the NBA. The Mavericks were mediocre when healthy, and at the moment, they aren’t healthy. There is no realistic spread at which I’d lean Dallas over Utah right now. The Jazz should win comfortably. The pick: Jazz -12.0