Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie celebrate a 3-point basket.
Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) and Spencer Dinwiddie, right, celebrate a 3-point basket made by Brunson in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
Joe Coles

By Joe Coles

The Dallas Mavericks evened up the series, beating the Utah Jazz 110-104 behind great performances by Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber.

The first-round playoffs series heads back to Salt Lake City knotted at 1-1, with Game 3 on Thursday at Vivint Arena.

Here are three keys to the Jazz’s loss:

  • Without star Luka Doncic in the lineup, Brunson and Kleber were fantastic for Dallas. Brunson scored early and often, scoring a career-high 41 points and adding eight rebounds and five assists. Kleber was key down the stretch, scoring 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting from 3-point range.
1 of 13
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends as Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) works to the basket in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
2 of 13
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Mike Conley, right, defend as Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) shoots in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
3 of 13
Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber celebrates after sinking a 3-point basket in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
4 of 13
Dallas Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban, center, and players on the bench cheer on their team's play against the Utah Jazz in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
5 of 13
Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber, left, defends as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) attempts a 3-point basket in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
6 of 13
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) shoots as Dallas Mavericks' Maxi Kleber, left front, Davis Bertans, left rear, and Reggie Bullock, right rear, defend in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
7 of 13
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, right, in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
8 of 13
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) goes up for a shot-attempt after getting past Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell, right, in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
9 of 13
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic stands on the court during a timeout in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
10 of 13
Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) and Spencer Dinwiddie, right, celebrate a 3-point basket made by Brunson in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
11 of 13
Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) defends as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
12 of 13
Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) defends as Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) works to the basket in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
13 of 13
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, center, passes the ball as he falls to the floor in front of Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) and Jazz's Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) | Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press
View Comments

The Mavericks made 17 uncontested 3s, with Kleber hitting seven, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

  • Dallas scorched the nets from 3-point range, shooting 46.8% from deep. The Jazz’s defense was poor, as the Mavericks drove and kicked the ball out, leading to open corner 3s late in the contest.
  • Mike Conley played 22 minutes, scoring zero points on 0-for-7 shooting. Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 34 points, but was 3-of-11 in the fourth quarter.
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.