The Portland Trail Blazers hadn’t defeated the Dallas Mavericks in almost two years and hadn’t won consecutive games since mid-November.
When the Blazers upset Dallas 126-122 at the Moda Center on Saturday night, everything changed.
Despite missing star Luka Doncic due to a calf injury, the Mavericks played and defeated the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Despite the fact that the Blazers almost wasted a 21-point lead in this game, none of that detracts from their overall performance.
Shaedon scored 23 points on 9 of 18 shots, outscoring the Blazers.Deandre Ayton had 16 rebounds and 21 points. Scoot Henderson scored 19 points and dished out six assists after coming off the bench.Deni Avdija added 21 goals, while Anfernee Simons scored 22.
Portland shot 55.6% from the field in the first quarter, leading by as many as 18. Sharpe contributed ten points, while Ayton scored eleven.
The Blazers, who had a 69-59 lead at the half, dominated the first half of the third quarter and eventually jumped out to a 91-72 edge.
Kyrie Irving scored on a deep three-point bank jumper that bounced up and in as the Mavericks continued to grind and eventually got a run going, cutting their deficit to 102-97. He nailed a baseline jumper a few seconds later, and it accomplished the same thing.
With two minutes left, Irving also made a three-pointer to reduce Dallas’ deficit to 117-111. However, Simons returned and made a three-pointer to increase the Blazers’ advantage to 120-111.
From there, the Blazers held on.
Irving scored 46 points, more than any other player.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
The Mavericks (20-12) ended a six-game losing streak against the Blazers (11-20). When Damian Lillard was leading the squad, Portland’s most recent victory occurred in January 2023 when they won two games at home in a weekend series.
This season, Dallas has won both of its games, including Monday’s 132-108 victory at home.
The final meeting between these two squads will take place in Dallas on January 9.
CAMARA OUT
Toumani Camra, a forward for the Blazers, missed Thursday’s victory over the Utah Jazz due to a sprained ankle.
During his pregame press conference, acting head coach Nate Bjorkgren stated, “He stepped on a foot there in the Utah game.”
Avdija took Camara’s place at first.
UPCOMING
Monday at 7 p.m., the Blazers take on the Philadelphia 76ers (12-17).
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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