Two teams trending in opposite directions meet in Dallas on Monday, when the Mavericks host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Dallas Mavericks:
- The Mavericks have won 13 of their last 16 games and will look to extend Portland’s road woes, as the Blazers are just 3-12 away from home.
- Dallas has adjusted well without superstar Luka Doncic, who has missed eight games this season, including the last two with a left heel contusion. Doncic is questionable for Monday’s matchup. Dallas is 6-2 without him.
- Doncic, who averages 28.9 points per game (fifth in the NBA), also leads the Mavs in rebounds (8.6), assists (8.2), and steals (2.1).
- In Doncic’s absence, the Mavericks have relied on a balanced offensive effort. In Saturday’s 113-97 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers, eight players scored in double figures, including Quentin Grimes (20 points off the bench) and Klay Thompson (16 points).
- Following Doncic’s lead, Kyrie Irving contributes 23.5 points per game, while Thompson averages 14.4 in his first season with the Mavericks.
Portland Trail Blazers:
- The Trail Blazers have dropped 11 of 14 games since Nov. 17, including a 1-7 mark in December.
- After Anfernee Simons’ buzzer-beating layup stunned the visiting Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Portland wasn’t competitive in a 20-point loss at San Antonio on Saturday.
- Simons and Shaedon Sharpe’s guard play is crucial to Portland’s success, with each player averaging 17.7 points per game.
- As a former NBA guard, coach Chauncey Billups understands the need for the team’s big men to help the backcourt create offensive plays.
- Coming off a 61-loss season, tied for second-worst in franchise history, the Trail Blazers selected 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick in June’s draft.
- Playing behind Deandre Ayton, Clingan has managed six points and 6.6 rebounds in under 17 minutes per contest. The UConn product returned on Dec. 13 after missing nearly three weeks with an MCL strain.
Key Players to Watch:
- Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic (if available), Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes
- Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, Deandre Ayton
With Dallas looking to continue its strong play and Portland aiming to find some consistency, this matchup will test both teams’ depth and resilience. Fans can expect an exciting game as the Mavericks and Trail Blazers face off.
