Huge Second Quarter Leads To Jazz Blowout Win
May 11th, 2028 | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX.
Conference Semi-Finals | Game 5 | Utah Jazz (2-2) @ Dallas Mavericks (2-2)
UTA | 37 | 36 | 29 | 29 | 131
DAL | 38 | 14 | 27 | 30 | 109
Ace Bailey continued his scorching post season with another 46 point explosion while setting a new Utah Jazz playoff high with 10 made threes.
| Name | Points | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | FG | 3PT | FT |
| PG Anthony Black | 18 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8/10 | 2/4 | 0/2 |
| SG Cam Thomas | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6/16 | 5/11 | 0/0 |
| SF Ace Bailey | 46 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17/28 | 10/14 | 2/3 |
| PF Robert Williams III | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| C Bam Adebayo | 18 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6/11 | 0/0 | 6/7 |
| C Luigi Suigo | 15 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6/10 | 3/5 | 0/0 |
| Total | 131 | 50 | 30 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 50/95(52%) | 21/40(52%) | 10/14(71%) |
| Name | Points | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | FG | 3PT | FT |
| PG Kyrie Irving | 21 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8/21 | 5/12 | 0/0 |
| SG Zach LaVine | 25 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8/17 | 3/9 | 6/6 |
| SF Cooper Flagg | 19 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6/17 | 4/11 | 3/3 |
| PF Anthony Davis | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1/3 | 0/1 | 1/4 |
| C Daniel Gafford | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2/5 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| SG Brandin Podziemski | 17 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6/8 | 5/5 | 0/0 |
| Total | 109 | 44 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 38/84(45%) | 20/43(47%) | 13/17(76%) |
Dallas, TX. - Throughout a high-scoring first quarter, the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks exchanged exhilarating highlights and knockdown shooting. Zach LaVine led the charge with 12 first-quarter points, while Cam Thomas and Ace Bailey each added 10 of their own.
Then the second quarter arrived, and the competitive balance evaporated.
The Jazz kept firing away at an elite clip while the Mavericks' offensive rhythm completely disappeared. LaVine and Kyrie Irving combined for just 5 points on 2-for-15 shooting in the pivotal second quarter. Cooper Flagg managed 10 of Dallas's meager 14 second-quarter points, but it proved insufficient as Utah continued its offensive onslaught.
By halftime, the Jazz had built a commanding 21-point lead that the Mavericks never seriously threatened. Whenever Dallas mounted a mini-run—trimming the deficit to 12—the Jazz had an answer. Bailey would knock down a dagger three. Anthony Black would take Irving into the paint for an easy bucket. Bam Adebayo would finish an and-one in the paint. Each time, Utah's lead stabilized and Dallas's momentum evaporated.
Jason Kidd acknowledged the fundamental problem facing his Mavericks.
"We have to be better across all four quarters," Kidd said matter-of-factly. "Right now, we're letting them dictate the pace and rhythm. If we can't adjust, this series is over."
When asked about Bailey's continued scorching performance, Joe Mazzulla deflected the individual praise in favor of systems explanation.
"Everyone's talking about "Cheese Bailey" on social media, but look at what's actually happening out there," Mazzulla said. "He's within the offense, taking quality shots, moving the ball. You don't shoot 10 for 14 from three by playing hero ball. That's execution and spacing. That's our system working the way it's supposed to."
Game 6 is scheduled for the Delta Center in two days.
If the Dallas Mavericks can't find a way to slow down Bailey and the Jazz's offensive efficiency, Kidd's prediction will come true: There won't be a Game 7.
Conference Semi-Finals
#4 New Orleans Pelicans (4-1) vs #1 Phoenix Suns (1-4)
#4 Cleveland Cavaliers (2-3) vs #1 Atlanta Hawks (3-2)
#3 Indiana Pacers (2-3) vs #2 Toronto Raptors (3-2)