DALLAS — As a trio of NFL quarterbacks sat courtside, the Dallas Mavericks threw a haymaker in Game 5 against the Utah Jazz.
With the opening round series tied 2-2 following Utah's last-minute heroics on Saturday, the Mavs and Jazz returned to Dallas for Monday night's showdown.
The previous four games were nail-biters and close contests.
Game 5 was not.
Luka Doncic scored 19 of his game-high 33 points in the third quarter as the Mavericks extended their 16-point halftime lead to 26 entering the fourth quarter.
The Mavs won Game 5, 102-77.
Doncic added 13 rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Mavs breakout playoff star (and 2022 free agent) Jalen Brunson scored 24 points.
Brunson has scored at least 23 points in all five playoff games with a 29 points-per-game average.
Heading into Monday, the series felt due for a blowout and the Jazz acquiesced.
Utah had its lowest-scoring half of the season, according to ESPN Stats & Info -- shooting 35% from the field including 2-for-17 from three-point range.
Their final totals weren't much better -- 38% FG including 3-for-30 from 3PT.
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell (9 points on 4-of-15 shooting) exited the game midway through the fourth quarter and was seen rubbing his left leg. His status is now unclear for Game 6.
The Mavs home crowd was buzzing from the jump with Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback (and newly named Monday Night Football broadcaster) Troy Aikman sitting front row on the baseline.
Also courtside were Arizona Cardinals quarterback (and Allen, Tex. native) Kyler Murray and Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes -- the Whitehouse, Texas native is a noted Mavs fan and a regular at games in the NFL's offseason.
The Mavericks take a 3-2 series with Game 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday night (9 p.m. CT).
If the Jazz prevail, Game 7 would be in Dallas on Saturday (Time TBD).
The Mavs are one victory from their first playoff series win since 2011 -- the year they won the NBA championship.