Game Preview
The Dallas Mavericks (18-10) will look to extend their winning ways when they host the struggling Portland Trail Blazers (9-19) on Monday night. Dallas has been firing on all cylinders recently, winning 8 of their last 10 games while averaging a blistering 121 points on a sizzling 49.9% shooting clip. Their offensive prowess has been anchored by a 42.7% mark from three-point range and an impressive 26.9 assists per game over this stretch.
On the other hand, Portland has stumbled out of the gate, dropping 8 of their last 10 contests. The Trail Blazers have struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard, surrendering 121.1 points per game over this span. Their own offense hasn't provided much relief, shooting just 47.4% from the field while averaging a pedestrian 110.7 points. Turnovers have also plagued Portland, coughing up the ball 13.7 times per game in their last 10 outings.
For the season, the Mavericks have been a 64.3% winning team, fueled by a potent offense averaging nearly 119 points per game on 48.8% shooting. Their ball movement has been crisp with 25.8 assists a night, while their defense has held firm by limiting opponents to just over 112 points per contest. Dallas has been especially stingy on the interior, swatting away 5.5 blocks while grabbing a shade under 46 rebounds per game.
Portland, meanwhile, has struggled mightily at 32.1% on the year. The Trail Blazers have been plagued by anemic shooting, hovering around 44% from the floor and a woeful 33.5% from deep. While they've been solid at the charity stripe (77.4%), Portland has been unable to keep up on the scoreboard, mustering just 107 points per game while allowing a concerning 116 points to their opponents.