Game Preview
The Dallas Mavericks (19-11) roll into Portland riding a wave of momentum, having won 14 of their last 20 games. Over that stretch, they've been an offensive juggernaut, averaging a blistering 120.2 points while shooting a scorching 49.3 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from downtown. Their balanced attack, fueled by nearly 46 rebounds and just over 25 assists per game, has propelled them to the upper echelon of the league.
Conversely, the Trail Blazers (10-20) have struggled mightily, winning just 7 of their last 20 contests. Their offensive woes have been glaring, averaging a mere 107.9 points on 44.6 percent shooting and a 34.2 percent clip from three-point range. Compounding matters, their defense has been equally porous, surrendering a whopping 118.0 points per game during this stretch, a recipe for their recent tailspin.
While the Mavericks stumbled in their last outing, their recent form has been nothing short of dominant. Shooting 49.1 percent over their last 10 games, they've capitalized on a blistering 40.8 percent from deep, sharing the ball with nearly 25 assists while crashing the boards for 45 rebounds per contest. Their well-rounded play has translated to 7 wins in that span, firmly establishing them as one of the league's elite.
In stark contrast, the Trail Blazers have been reeling, dropping 8 of their last 10. Their offensive struggles have been glaring, mustering just 110.8 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting and a paltry 34.7 percent from long range. Defensively, they've been equally porous, allowing a staggering 123.6 points while struggling to secure rebounds (41.5) or create turnovers (14.1 per game). Unless they can quickly right the ship, their season could spiral further out of control.