Journal du Club des Cordeliers - Mavericks Defeat Jazz 112-100 Behind Washington’s 26 Points and Second-Half Surge

The Dallas Mavericks secured a decisive 112-100 victory over the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center on Friday, improving their record to 5-4 for the season and moving to 2-0 in Emirates NBA Cup play. The win marked the team’s second consecutive triumph, following a 116-111 upset of the Houston Rockets on Oct. 30, and served to end a two-game losing streak that had included defeats to Sacramento and San Antonio.

The game was defined by a stark contrast in offensive efficiency between halves. The Mavericks struggled significantly from the field in the opening period, with key contributors Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving combining for just 3-of-17 shooting. Despite this, Dallas managed to stay competitive through relentless effort on the glass and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. P.J. Washington Jr. was instrumental in keeping the team within striking distance during this difficult stretch, scoring 22 of his eventual 26 points in the first half. He shot 5-of-6 from beyond the arc early on, providing the necessary spacing and scoring punch when the team’s primary ball-handlers were cold.

Washington Jr. finished with a season-high 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-10 from three-point range, along with six rebounds. His performance was characterized by confidence and aggression. "Just shooting my regular shots. Just felt really good," Washington Jr. said after the game. "So just try to be aggressive and continue to take open looks." Head coach Dusty May emphasized the importance of this mindset for the team’s success. "We need P.J. to be a 3-point shooter for us. I mean, he’s got a beautiful shot," May said. "I love him shooting with that amount of confidence because we need it." May also noted Washington Jr.’s defensive versatility, highlighting his ability to guard smaller, quicker opponents. "He really sat down and guarded a couple quick, fast point guards," May observed.

The Mavericks entered halftime tied at 57-57, despite the Jazz shooting 53.5% from the field in the first half. The turning point arrived after the break, as Dallas flipped their defensive intensity and offensive rhythm. Flagg and Irving found their stroke in the third quarter, combining for 21 points during a critical 22-10 run that turned a one-point deficit into an 81-70 lead late in the period. The Mavericks outscored Utah 32-19 in the third quarter and took an 89-76 lead into the final frame, extending their advantage to 20 points early in the fourth.

Flagg contributed a versatile all-around performance with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. He credited his teammates for maintaining his morale during a period of shooting struggles. "A lot of credit to my teammates, just keeping me in good spirits and keeping my head up high and just making sure I know that they believe in me," Flagg said. Irving added 14 points, with 12 of them coming after halftime. The duo’s late-game execution was supported by a team-wide shift in defensive tempo. "Even though shots are not going in, you got to find ways to impact the game," Flagg said. "I thought as a team, second half, we came out with a different defensive tempo and competitive spirit."

Rebounding dominated the statistical narrative of the game. The Mavericks outrebounded the Jazz 63-45, grabbing 21 offensive rebounds and outscoring Utah 20-5 on second-chance points. Morez Johnson Jr. was a force on the glass off the bench, recording a career-high 17 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, to go with 13 points. His energy and effort were praised by both May and Flagg. "His energy, his effort, I mean, he’s a winning player," May said. Flagg added, "I thought Rez was amazing. Just his effort crashing every single time." Johnson Jr., who has been recovering from a shin injury, expressed satisfaction with his return to form. "I’m back, man. I’m right here," he said.

The Mavericks’ bench also outscored Utah’s reserves 44-19, providing crucial depth. Santi Aldama made a notable impact in his debut with Dallas after returning from right knee surgery. In just 13 minutes of play, Aldama scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds. "Just honestly happy to be out there," Aldama said. "It just felt so good to feel the energy of an NBA game and just be out there." He acknowledged the support he received from the Dallas community and expressed a desire to prove his value nightly. "I’m trying to prove him wrong every night," Aldama said, referring to May’s challenge for him to improve as a rebounder.

Washington Jr. welcomed Aldama’s addition to the roster, having previously played against him while he was with Memphis. "I love him. I love him," Washington Jr. said. "I’ve been telling everybody I didn’t realize he was this tall." He described Aldama as a "mismatch nightmare" due to his ability to play both on the perimeter and inside. May echoed this sentiment, praising Aldama’s decision-making and spacing. "He’s such a good decision-maker. He stretches the defense with the spacing," May said. "He’s an elite connector." Naji Marshall also received credit from May for bringing tenacity and on-ball pressure that provided "a little bit of ignition" for the team.

For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 24 points, all coming from three-point range. Rookie Darryn Peterson contributed 21 points, and Keyonte George added 16. The loss dropped Utah to 1-8 on the season, extending their losing streak to seven games.

The victory gives the Mavericks momentum as they prepare for upcoming NBA Cup matchups against Denver and Phoenix. Flagg viewed the tournament as a catalyst for building team culture. "I think with the Cup, it’s giving you a little bit of that extra motivation," Flagg said. "That’s the standard we’re trying to set and the culture we’re trying to build. A high-level competing culture where we’re not just going through the motions." Dallas will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, looking to continue their strong start to the tournament.

G.Garnier--JdCdC