Jazz Vs. Mavericks: Dallas Overcome Injuries To Dominate Jazz

Even with the Dallas Mavericks were missing starters Dirk Nowitzki, Delonte West and then Jason Kidd less than three minutes into the game the Mavericks were still able to defeat the Utah Jazz 116 - 101 Friday night.

Guard Rodrigue Beaubois lead six Mavericks who scored in double figures and scored a season-high 22 points. Beaubois was making his first start of the season in place of the injured West. Lamar Odom who has been starting in place of Nowitzki scored 19 points which is a season high.

The Mavericks had the game in control and led 77-63 late in the third quarter, but the Jazz went on a 13-4 run to cut the lead to five points with under two minutes leftin the third. Paul Milsap led the Jazz charge by scoring nine of his 20 points during that stretch.

The Mavericks regained their composure and went on their own scoring burst with a 17-7 run in the fourth quarter to put the game away for good.

For more on this game Dallas fans should check out Mavs Moneyball and Utah fans should head on over to SLC Dunk. For more news and analysis on the NBA be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

The Dallas Mavericks have had a revolving door of players getting injured, and in tonight's game against the Utah Jazz guard Jason Kidd suffered a calf strain to his right leg in the first quarter. Kidd came up limp just over two minutes into the game and was taken to the locker room, and after being examined it was decided that he would not return.

This is the second injury that Kidd has suffered this year. On Jan. 6 against the San Antonio Spurs, Kidd left that game with an injured lower back and ended up missing four games due to that injury.

The Mavericks are already missing Dirk Nowitzki who is out trying to regain his stamina and Delonte West who sitting out tonight's game with a hamstring injury. So far tonight the Mavericks have not needed those players as they are leading the Jazz 58-50 at the half.

For more on this game Dallas fans should check out Mavs Moneyball and Utah fans should head on over to SLC Dunk. For more news and analysis on the NBA be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

The Dallas Mavericks are still playing without starting forward Dirk Nowitzki and now they can add Delonte West to the injured list as he is sitting out tonight's game with a hamstring injury. However, Vince Carter did return to the lineup after missing five games and has come off the bench to score 11 points so far.

Leading all scorers is the Mavericks Rodrigue Beaubois who has 16 points on seven of nine shooting. Both teams bench have come up big in scoring, but the Mavericks are leading tonight because they have the edge as their bench has outscored the Jazz's bench 25-14.

The Mavericks have been shooting the ball better than the Jazz by making 60 percent of their shots to 47 percent for the Jazz. Devin Harris and Al Harrington are keeping the Jazz in this game as the two have combined for 22 points at the half.

For more on this game Dallas fans should check out Mavs Moneyball and Utah fans should head on over to SLC Dunk. For more news and analysis on the NBA be sure to check outSB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

In what shouldn't be a huge surprise, a team stocked with veterans in their mid-30's has been unable to stay healthy during the compressed 66-game regular season.

Just as Vince Carter is set to return against the Utah Jazz Friday after missing five games with a foot injury, starting shooting guard Delonte West is likely out with a hamstring strain he suffered on Wednesday.

West is now the fourth key Maverick to hit the disabled list already this year, following Carter, Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki.

Dallas has been able to stay afloat thanks to their improved depth, with Rodrigue Beaubois finally coming into his own in his third year in the Dallas back-court while Ian Mahinmi, Brandan Wright and Yi Jianlian have unexpectedly contributed up front.

The injuries could end up serving as a blessing in disguise come April, as the Mavericks will need some of their younger players, who have benefited from all the extra playing time, to to provide athleticism and energy in the playoffs.