The Dallas Mavericks are enjoying their best stretch of the season, achieving most of their success without superstar guard Luka Doncic.
Dallas will attempt to secure its eighth win in nine games when it visits the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Doncic, sidelined with a wrist sprain, watched Saturday’s 106-94 road win over the Utah Jazz from the bench and is expected to miss his sixth straight game. Teammate Klay Thompson (foot) is also likely to sit out for the fourth consecutive game.
Kyrie Irving starred against Utah, recording 30 points, nine assists, and four steals. He tied a season high with six three-pointers and is averaging 28.0 points over the past four games.
Dallas also saw a standout performance from Quentin Grimes, who made five three-pointers en route to a season-best 24 points. This marked his second consecutive 20-point game following his 21-point performance in Wednesday’s 129-114 home victory over the New York Knicks.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was pleased with how Irving managed the game, particularly when the Jazz made a third-quarter push on Saturday.
The Mavericks raced to a 40-22 first-quarter lead against the Jazz before their play dipped, scoring just 16 points in the second quarter to lead by seven at halftime.
Portland, meanwhile, had dropped four of five games before securing a 115-106 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with a season-high 26 points and nine rebounds, delivering a strong performance in the middle.
The Trail Blazers also received strong efforts from Anfernee Simons (21 points, nine assists), Deni Avdija (20 points, nine rebounds), and Dalano Banton (17 points, career-high five steals).
Banton highlighted the win over the Kings as pivotal, leaving Portland 2-1 in West Group A play of the NBA Cup competition.
The Houston Rockets have clinched first place in the group, while Portland, the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2), and Los Angeles Clippers (1-2) are still in contention. The Trail Blazers will visit the Clippers on Tuesday.
Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (knee) and point guard Scoot Henderson (quadriceps) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Grant has missed the last two games, while Henderson has sat out four of the past five.
The Mavericks won all four of last season’s meetings with the Trail Blazers and have taken 10 of the past 12.
