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.
Even though the Blazers got out to a fast start in this game and almost blew a 21-point lead, none of that detracts from their overall performance.
Acting head coach Nate Bjorkgren expressed his satisfaction with the way we exited the gates. I think we played with great force, pace, and preparedness in the first quarter. I think the manner we began the game was good. The manner we concluded the game pleased me.
At least 20 points were scored by four players.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.
According to Bjorkgren, “I felt our team was extremely connected.”
On Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, the Trail Blazers play the Dallas Mavericks in an NBA game at the Moda Center in Portland, where Deni Avdija (8) shoots.OregonLive/The Oregonian’s Naji Saker
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 on 6 of 7 shooting in the fourth quarter, more than any other player.
We tried to throw everything at Kyrie, Bjorkgren, because he is difficult to defend.
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 media appearance, 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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