Mavericks 126 vs. 118 Jazz summary: stats and highlights | NBA Playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks have bounced back to take home court advantage from the Utah Jazz after a second straight win. Jalen Brunson had another terrific night scoring 31 points in the 126-118 Game 3 win.

No Doncic, no problem

There were reports that Dallas was going to get their super star scorer Luka Doncic back earlier in the day, but was a late scratch. Jalen Brunson stepped into the spotlight yet again after putting up a career high 41 points in the Mavs win last game.

Brunson got the wheels turning for Dallas early on. The Jazz were up 5-2 in the early going but that would be the last lead they would have. Once the Mavs took the lead, courtesy of Brunson’s 8 points and Maxi Klever’s hot shooting from downtown, they did not let it go.

Mavs on fire from downtown

After hitting eight threes and 25 points in Game 2, he started his night in Utah with four straight three balls to set the tone for the Mavs.

Dallas did get a scare when Brunson went down after taking a shot from behind on a rebound attempt right before the second quarter ended. He would eventually come back after the Mavs went into the half up by 17 hitting 8/13 threes in the second quarter.

After hitting a playoff record 22 threes in the Game two the Mavs went 18/42 from downtown in Utah. Every time it seemed like the Jazz were on the comeback trail someone from Dallas would come up with a big three to stop the run and swing the momentum back in their favor.

Dallas took Mitchell's best blow

Donovan Mitchell struggled in the first half, scoring just 4 points through the first two quarters but turned it on in the second half. Mitchell carried the Jazz with 18 third quarter points, while Bojan Bogdanovic got hot from downtown chipping in 12 in the quarter. Utah went 14/18 in their 40 point third quarter to go into the fourth trailing 97-91

Utah kept punching, but Dallas absorbed Mitchell and the Jazz’s best punches. Mike Conley hit a three midway through the fourth quarter to cut the lead to just a point, but Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson countered with a 6-0 run to take control of the game yet again and the Mavs were able to hold off for the 126-118 win.

Mitchell finished the game as the leading scorer with 32 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Brunson’s 31 along and Spencer Dinwiddie’s 20 as seven different Mavericks finished in double digits.

The Jazz will be desperate for a win before going back to Dallas in Game 4 as Luka Doncic is expected to make his return for the Mavs. Tip off is set for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

No Luka, No problem.

There was no stopping Jalen Brunson tonight. He has the Jazz's number.

Finney-Smith with the put back slam. He had 14 and 8 on the night.

Everytime the Jazz looked like they were going to get back int the game the Mavs seemed to always come up with a big three.

Did anyone know Spencer Dinwiddie can get up like this?

Green had some huge minutes in the first half. He had 9 and 4 assists through two quarters.

The Mavs got started early and didn't look back.

Brunson wasted no time getting back in the groove he had in Game 2.

Jalen Brunson follows up his 41 points performance with 31 tonight.

It's all over!!! The Mavs hold on to take home court advantage back from the Jazz.

Brown gets two FTs to go. 12 seconds left in Utah.

Conley to the line sinks two of two.

Bullock to the line hits two FTs.

Bogdanovic snaps a three. 18 seconds to go.

Dinwiddie at the line, he hits one of two. 25 seconds to go.

Mitchell going back to the rack, the Mavs won't mind that though, with 1:01 left.

The MAvs break the press and Kleber gets the wide open dunk.

Mitchell to the line, and he drops both FTs.

Dinwiddie puts the nail in the coffin with the shot clock winding down. He hits the three fro the top of the key from wayyyy beyond the arc.

Gobert say NOT SO FAST! Alley oop to the frenchman and the foul. FT is good.

Finney-Smith for three in the corner and that might just do it with under 2 to go.

Gobert wide open on the find from Clarkson.

10-2 run for the Mavs over the last four minutes.

Brunson going to the line, and he can not be stopped. Both FTs are good and he's got 31.

3:23 to go in the fourth quarter, and he have a timeout in Utah.

Brunson from the elbow. He has been heroic today and all series.

MItchell down low swarmmed by defenders but finds some space to put it up and in.

Brunson back at the rack! DAL is starting to stretch the lead back out.

Dinwiddie back at the rack gets the wide open finger roll to go.

Dinwiddie with a tough finish at the rack.

Conley for three and its a one point game!! This place is rocking!!

Conley with the floater! Back to a four point game.

Brunson out of the timeout, pulls up and hits over Gobert.

Timeout with 8:55 to go in the final quarter. Things are getting tight in Salt Lake City.

Mitchell goes eurostep to get to the bucket.

Finney-Smith with the put back slam

Conely for the first time in a long time, going to the rack and finishing off the glass.

Dinwiddie gets fouled and he hits both FTs. The Mavs are hanging on.

Mitchell at the line, and he hits both. Its a four point game.

We are headed to the fourth quarter! Six point game after the Jazz shoot 14/18 in the third quarter. Mitchell had 18 points in a 40 point quarter for Utah. Bogdanovic chipped in 11 in the quarter.

Green,Clarkson, Brunson, exchange buckets and then Paschall drops a three to cut it to a 6 point game!!

Mitchell with the slam and he is carrying the Jazz in this third quarter. He's got 18 in the quarter.

Mitchell back at the line and he gets both to go.

Finney-Smith in the paint showing patience and gets the easy jumper close to the basket.

Mitchell at the line now, he hits both FTs and the lead has been cut to nine.

Mitchell just brought the house down with that dunk over Bertans!!

Bertans wide open for three and he drills it.

Paschall on the baseline drive and get hits it and gets fouled. FT is good, Jazz on a 10-3 run

Brunson on the drive, goes up and under O'Neale, gets the bucket and one. FT is good and he's got 21.

MItchell drawing attention and slips it off to Bogdanovic on the baseline drive.

Mitchell jacks a three and and Utah are being carried by their super star.

Kleber with the put back, and I think that's his first two pt. FG in the last two games.

Mitchell driving to the rack, and gets the lay up off the glass.

Bogdanovic at the line, hits two of two out of the timeout.

Dinwiddie with the blow by Mitchell, laying it up and in. It's a 17 point game from Utah. Timeout with 5:30 to go in the third.

Mitchell starting to get warm, but the Jazz need more than just him stepping up.

Finney-Smith from the corner, this time with a foot on the line.

Bullock silences the crowd, not for the first time with the corner three.

Bogdanovic on a quick trigger three and that gets this crowd going. He's got 17 on the night.

Bogdanovic with a much needed three ball!! He's got four fouls and still in the game, so he'll have to be careful the rest of the way.

Dinwiddie showing the springs!!! He just jumped up and over Gobert who looked just as surprised as I was that Dinwiddie could get up like that. FT is good after the and 1.

The threes aren't falling like they were in the first half for the Mavs. That could be trouble in these final two quarters.

Gobert on the alley off the pass from Conley!

Brunson back, and going to the rack! Gets the bucket and the foul. FT is good to conver the three point play.

Dallas looks a little nervous coming out of the break with the lead. A couple of turnover are converted to buckets, this time by Bogdanovic from the mid range.

Mitchell on the drive, gets the bucket and one! FT is good. He has just 4 points tonight.

We are back in action from Utah! Brunson willl be back in the ball game according to reports.

No Luka, no problem for the Mavs. Brunson got hurt in that first half. Let's see if he can come back.

Kleber got posterized by House Jr. on the baseline drive.

Clarkson looked good off the bench, this time he finds Whiteside for the alley oop.

Green this time taking matters into his own hands. He's got 9 points and 4 assists.

Finney-Smith with the slash after the dish from Green who is having a stellar game.

Brunson got things started early for the Mavs.

Conley has responded after going 0-for in the last game He's got 10, and Bogdanovic has 9. Clarkson had 8 points off the bench to provide a mini spark.

Brunson is the leading scorer with 15, but was taken out after injuring his back. Kleber has 13 on 4/4 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Mavs had more threes (9) than twos (8) in the first half. They were 9/21 from behind the arc.

The first half comes to a close and the Dallas Mavericks go into the half up 17 thanks to some terrific three point shooting.

Bertans from the same spot!!! Not even sure if he went back on defense, he might have just posted up there and waited for the dish from Green.

Bertans in the corner for three!!! DAL is 7/12 from downtown this quarter.

O'Neale to the line, gets both to drop.

Dinwiddie wide open in the corner for three!!! Dallas is 9/21 from downtown in the first half with 1:16 to go in the second quarter.

Conley at the line, he hits both FTs.

Bullock in the corner for three and everytime the Jazz look like their coming back Dallas hits a big three to stretch the lead back out.

Clarkson for three and the foul!!! FT is good and the lead is now in single digits.

Bertans to the line and he hits two of two.

Gobert on the dunk from the O'Neale assist.

Green at the line hits one of two.

Bullock says, Not so fast! He hits the three from the corner

You just got the sense that after that Brunson foul the tides were turning in favor of the Jazz.

Conley putting on a show with the dribble and Gobert finishes with the reverse alley oop.

Conely to the line and he hits one of two.

Brunson was bumped from behind and is clutching his lower back. He complained to the ref and got T'ed up. Mitchell hits the technical foul shot.

Conely drops a three, and Brunson was shaken up on the play.

Dinwiddie at the line, gets both FTs to drop.

COnley at the line hits two of two

Kleber from wayyyy downtown!!! He's 4/4 from beyond the arc and has 13 points!

Brunson off the dribble, hits the jumper in the paint and he's got 15 already.

Kleber at the line gets one of two to go from the FT line.

Bogdanovic with six quick points to start the second quarter, but he just picked up his third foul and he'll head to the bench with 6:46 to in the half.

Brunson gets hit on the drive, gets the bucket and the foul. FT is good and Brunson is off to a flying start.

BOgdanovic at the line out of the timeout hits both FTs.

Clarkson with the fade away and he's been one of the few sources of offense for the Jazz early on. He's got 8 points off the bench.

Conley with another much needed bucket, but who else is going to join him in this second quarter?

Green with a three ball, his third of the game! 9 points for Green who averaged less than 5 a game in the regular season.

Burke fouled on the three ball, and he hits all three on a foul that was ruled a flagrant. Mavs get the ball back.

Mike Conely with the floater in the lane, and that was a much needed basket to break up the Mavs run.

Bertans drops a three to get the Mavs started the second like they finsihed the first. He gets fouled and hits the FT for a 4 pt. play.

The first quarter comes to a close after a bright start from the Mavs.

Goubert to the line, hits both FTs.

Green with the triple from straight on. That's their fifth three ball of the first quarter.

House with a nasty dunk and that will get the crowd going.

Brunson to the line, and he hits both FTs.

Green with the three ball and the Mavs are starting red hot from three point range.

Clarkson to the line hitting both FTs.

Bogdanovic drops a three, but not to be outdone by Kleber who hits his third three of the night in just two minutes off the bench.

Finney-Smith getting to the rack and the Mavs are showing their inside outside threat.

Kleber with back to back threes right off the bench after eight triples last game.

Clarckson with two quick buckets off the bench! And then finds Whiteside on the wicked alley oop

Clarkson off the bench and on the scoreboard!! Big bucket for Utah who had just 2 points in the last 4:30

Brunson with a floater from the left side, and he's got 6 quick points. Timeout Jazz early in the first quarter.

Brunson with the spin in the land and the floater for the finish. DAL leads for the first time tonight.

Finney-Smith with the jumper to get his night started. Dallas aren't getting easy looks to start the game.

Gobert with the flush off the feed from Conley!

Brunson gets his night going in the pain after a pump fake and fade.

Mitchell going to the line after another drive to the rim. Good defensive possesions early on for the Jazz. Mitchell hits one of two FTs.

We are underway from Vivint Arena!!! Mitchell going to the rack and using the glass for the first bucket of the game.

The Jazz are being introduced as we speak. What does Mitchell have in store tonight after 34 last game and 32 in the opener?

No Luka tonight for the Mavs. Can they pull off another game without their superstar? It will be up to Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie.

NBA legend and part owner of the Jazz, Dwayne Wade is in the bulding tonight. How must it feel with D-Wade as your boss knowing he could probably go out and beat you one on one if your a Jazz player?

What Vegas is saying

Even with the possible return of Luka Doncic, Bet365.com has the Jazz as a 8.5 point favorite at home while the Over/Under 207.5.

Utah is Dallas’ black beast

Dallas will head into the Vivint Arena knowing they have won just once in their last 12 trips to Salt Lake City. They get Luka back tonight, which will definitely boost their chances of breaking this bad run of form that stretches back to the 2015/16 season. They have to be thinking a change in the tides is coming, and what better time to do it than tonight in Game 3?

Mavs playoffs struggles

This is the third consecutive year the Mavs have made the playoffs, but they are looking to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in the Doncic era. They were probably happy not to see the Clippers in the first round, after being knocked out by LA in the last two postseasons, but now have the Jazz to worry about without Luka, and tied at 1-1 on the road for Game 3.

Is Luka coming back?

Luka Doncic was reportedly close to his playoff debut after missing the first two games of the series, but will sit out tonight’s game in Utah. He strained his calf in the final game of the regular season, and was forced to watch as the Utah Jazz took home court advantage from the Mavs in Game 1. He is expected to come back in Game 4, will he do so up or down a game?

Watch out if this game comes down to a half court shot. The Mavs were drilling them fro long distance earlier today.

The Jazz rolling up to the Vivint Arena in their buisness drip. It's time for Utah to take care of buisness at home after a road win in Dallas.

A win in Dallas OK for Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell knows the Jazz had an opportunity in Game 2 after leading by 10 in the second half, but has turned the page and is focusing on tonight. 'We tried to go out there and take both (games). Didn't happen. You know we're not going to overreact. We're going to go home, and we've got to take care of business. Simple as that,'' Mitchell said. ''At the end of the day, we're happy we took a game and go back and take care of business.''

Brunson's premonition

Jalen Brunson put the team on his back, and warned his teammates something big was coming pregame, ''I started this morning, I was talking to (Dorian Finney-Smith) and I told him, `Doe, I'm going to let 10 3s fly tonight.' And he said, `That's my dog.' And that kind of set the tone for the day,'' Kleber said. ''The mindset is we know they're going to leave certain guys open to shoot. We've just got to let it fly.''

Last time out

The Mavs averted disaster by winning Game 2 to level the series in Dallas on Monday. Jalen Brunson stepped up in the absence of Luka Doncic, scoring a career high 41 points on the night. Maxi Kleber added another 25 almost exclusively from behind the arc hitting eight threes as the Mavs sank a combined playoff record 22 triples. Even with their hot shooting from downtown and a franchise record for fewest turnovers in a game the Mavs only just scraped by Jazz for the 110-104

We are live from Salt Lake City

Hello everyone and welcome to Utah. There is plenty on the line for both teams tonight after the first two games saw the Jazz steal a game in Dallas, while the Mavs superstar Luka Doncic was forced to watch from the bench due to injury. Whoever comes away with the win tonight takes a big step towards the second round

Mavs vs Jazz

Huge matchup from Vivint Arena as the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz have a chance to take the series lead in a pivotal Game 3 in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, updates, scores and analysis from Salt Lake City.

It's on from Salt Lake City. Huge game in the first round of the Western Confernce playoffs coming up.

Last time out

The Mavs averted disaster by winning Game 2 to level the series in Dallas on Monday. Jalen Brunson stepped up in the absence of Luka Doncic, scoring a career high 41 points on the night. Maxi Kleber added another 25 almost exclusively from behind the arc hitting eight threes as the Mavs sank a combined playoff record 22 triples. Even with their hot shooting from downtown and a franchise record for fewest turnovers in a game the Mavs only just scraped by Jazz for the 110-104

We are live from Utah

Hello everyone and welcome to Utah. There is plenty on the line for both teams tonight after the first two games saw the Jazz steal a game in Dallas, while the Mavs superstar Luka Doncic was forced to watch from the bench due to injury. Whoever comes away with the win tonight takes a big step towards the second round.

Mavs vs. Jazz

Huge matchup from Vivint Arena as the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz have a chance to take the series lead in a pivotal Game 3 in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, updates, scores and analysis from Salt Lake City.