RS 23/24 - Mavs @ Blazers (Sat., 9 PM EST)

[Dirk]

Good news:

Naz Reid is unavailable for the Blazers.



Return to the scene of the crime.

BOTTOM LINE: Portland looks to end its five-game losing streak when the Trail Blazers play Dallas.

The Trail Blazers are 2-13 in Western Conference games. Portland has a 1-9 record in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Trail Blazers score 106.8 points per game, 10.2 fewer points than the 117.0 the Mavericks allow. The Mavericks average 5.7 more points per game (119.4) than the Trail Blazers allow their opponents to score (113.7).

The teams play for the second time this season. The Mavericks won the last meeting 125-112 on Dec. 9. Doncic scored 32 points to help lead the Mavericks to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Shaedon Sharpe is averaging 18.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Trail Blazers. Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 12.6 points over the last 10 games for Portland.

Dereck Lively is scoring 9.3 points per game and averaging 8.0 rebounds for the Mavericks. Doncic is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Dallas.

LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 3-7, averaging 111.9 points, 39.8 rebounds, 23.5 assists, 9.0 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.5 points per game.

Mavericks: 6-4, averaging 114.7 points, 41.4 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 7.0 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points.

INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Jerami Grant: out (concussion), Robert Williams III: out for season (knee), Ish Wainright: out (knee).

Mavericks: Seth Curry: day to day (ankle), Josh Green: day to day (elbow), Maxi Kleber: out (toe), Kyrie Irving: out (heel).

Associated Press

[Dali]

I've shared my thought on Grant Williams in other threads, but time to be positive in this game, and I hope he plays well, grabs a bunch of boards and we win.

[tleikheen]

I've shared my thought on Grant Williams in other threads, but time to be positive in this game, and I hope he plays well, grabs a bunch of boards and we win.

Trying to be nice I see but stats can tarnish that .GWill has had 21 games ,playing 30 mpg to get his measly 3.7 rpg UP as the Mavs PF. I havent looked but that might be the WORST in the NBA this season.

[41Dirk41]

DJJ and Kief are the PF here... But you are free to throw **** on Williams anyway.

[tleikheen]

DJJ and Kief are the PF here... But you are free to throw **** on Williams anyway.

Nobody is throwing or saying anything that HIS own stats dont say about his play ....

[BliscoSantos]

What kind of toe injury does Maxi have that keeps him out this long?? It's riddiculous

[Michaellam1987]

What kind of toe injury does Maxi have that keeps him out this long?? It's riddiculous

Maxi is wash already, he is completely useless offensively except for wide open 3, yet he still hesitate to shoot, and shoot well below his career average. Defensively, he is also no longer the old form of Maxi that we used to rely on. To conclude, Maxi is slowly turning into a deadweight contract for us.

[ejs78]

Ugh Lively in locker room

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[Archx]

So... summary so far. Lively injured and Mavs can't bring the ball over the half court unless it's in Luka's hands.

[ejs78]

Any trade this team makes better be for Defense. Man alive this pathetic

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[Maverick41]

This Luka with THJ as the only secondary playmaker has to stop. THJ can barely bring the ball up and is as tunnel vision as it comes. Should always be at least 2 ballhandlers in the lineup.

[daoneandonly]

Any trade this team makes better be for Defense. Man alive this pathetic

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Yup D and rebounding are sorely needed. There was zero reason to waste a roster spit on Markieff

[Archx]

This Luka with THJ as the only secondary playmaker has to stop. THJ can barely bring the ball up and is as tunnel vision as it comes. Should always be at least 2 ballhandlers in the lineup.

Kidd try to help out with Curry but THJ and Curry are insanely bad defenders.

[ejs78]

Lively is out for the game. Might not be a popular opinion but if the Mavs can win this and Lively is out Monday vs Denver I'd think about giving Luka the night off.

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[Dali]

Luka is just ridiculous man, it's stupid how good he is, it isn't fair. He is a video game out there.

[Archx]

It sucks if Lively is out for longer time. Will be pain watching Mavs guard Jokic without him.

[daoneandonly]

These injuries are frustrating, but sad part of the game. Cleveland is dealing with it too. But Luka deserves better than this

[Mavrelous]

What happened to Lively?

[joesha1698]

I hope Lively is okay but I hope we nap a veteran center if we are going to be using Holmes as trade bait. Additionally, Luke ala James Harden is basically the system. Luka looks great out there but this style basically reducing us to a 3 point shooting/ stand still team. That's the only thing i worry about when Luka has the ball that long of a time. Even though he is very successful with that style - in the long run does this make our team more dynamic on the offensive in? It kinda makes us a 1 trick pony depending us hitting 3s at a high clip - including Luka. Any thoughts on that?

[Dali]

I'm not happy with Dante's turnovers, he was taught to protect the ball better than that in Europe.