Utah Jazz fall to Dallas Mavericks 116-101

DALLAS — The defending NBA champions began tonight's game without Dirk Nowitzki, and Jason Kidd left a couple of minutes into the first quarter with a calf injury.

Their absence wasn't noticeable on the American Airlines Center scoreboard.

The Jazz fought back from a double-digit lead and got within two late in the third quarter, but the star-less Mavs dominated the fourth quarter to run away with a 116-101 win.

Rodrigue Beaubois scored 22 points and killed the Jazz with his drives and outside touch (3-for-5 from 3-point land).

Jazz-killer Lamar Odom scored 18 points off the bench for Dallas, which beat Utah for the sixth time in a row.

Paul Millsap led Utah with 20 points and Al Jefferson had 19 in his return after missing Wednesday with ankle tendinitis.

Enes Kanter was a bright spot for Utah, totaling 12 points and seven rebounds.

This was the 10-7 Jazz's second loss in row. They return to Utah on Saturday for a showdown with Jimmer Fredette and the Sacramento Kings at EnergySolutions Arena.

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