How the game against the Portland Trail Blazers unfolds on Tuesday will largely depend on how much the Mavericks actually care.
Dallas stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis sat down against Utah on Monday in a game that the Mavericks ultimately won. Now, seventh place Dallas (43-30) is a game behind sixth place in Utah (43-38) with a chance to win the Jazz.
If Dallas wants to do it in an attempt to rise and avoid playing with the Los Angeles Clippers No. 2 in the first round of the NBA playoffs, then the Mavericks will be tough enough for Portland (33-39).
Or, it’s entirely possible, that Dallas starts his stars but then doesn’t play them much in the second half to manage their minutes leading up to the playoffs. It would certainly be preferable for the Blazers.
Doncic has been a handful for Portland this season, averaging 30.3 points, 8.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds over three games.
Portland, in ninth place, doesn’t have much room for error along the way. He can win at least the ninth and one shot to play no. 8 in a play-in round by winning the last two games. The Blazers close their seed matches against Brooklyn on Thursday.
A defeat in both games and Portland would seriously risk being overtaken by Phoenix (32-39) or San Antonio (31-38).
Blazers vs. Mavericks:
What: Portland Trail Blazers (33-39) v Dallas Mavericks (43-30), 3:30 pm PT on Tuesday.
Where is it: The Field House, Orlando, Florida
TV channel: NBC Sports Northwest (In Portland: Comcast 37/737), TNT (54/754)
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ / 620 AM)
How to watch live stream online: You can watch this game live with your cable provider’s login information on NBC Sports Live, or you can watch the game live for FREE with FuboTV (free trial). You can also get this game on Hulu + Live (free trial) if you prefer those platforms and their pricing plans. There are many other streaming options you can try: www.nba.com/blazers/watch.
BE AFRAID
Doncic and Porzingis won’t be Portland’s only problems.
The Blazers’ poor perimeter defense managed to make the Clippers and 76ers look pretty good without their protagonists in two bubble games. Dallas won 122-114 over Utah on Monday while shooting 50% from three points.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 27 points making 3 of 6 three-point attempts. Former Blazers guard Seth Curry had 22 points out of 8 out of 11 shots and made 4 out of 6 three-point attempts. JJ Barea scored 18 points while sinking 2 of 4 three-point shots.
Philadelphia shot 46.7% off three, with Josh Richardson hitting 6 out of 10 en route to 34 points. The Clippers shot 44.1% out of three against the Blazers.
If the Blazers continue to leave the shooters open, the Mavericks could easily reach 130 points, especially with Doncic or Porzingis on the pitch.
LILLARD VS. DALLAS
Portland guard Damian Lillard has scored at least 25 points in 16 of his last 17 games against Dallas, averaging 30.5 points and seven assists.
In three games this season, Lillard has averaged 36.3 points per game. He scored 47 goals on 23 January.
PROBABLE WHITESIDE
Center Hassan Whiteside, who missed the team’s previous two games with a strained hip, is listed as likely for Tuesday’s game. His return will help strengthen the inside defense and perhaps allow the perimeter defenders to be more aggressive knowing that Whiteside can support them when he is in play.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Portland is 1-2 against Dallas this season.
The Blazers won 121-119 in Dallas on October 27, but lost 120-112 away on January 17 and at home 133-125 on January 23.
REPORTING INJURIES
Blazers: White side (left hip stretch) is likely. Forwards Trevor Ariza and Caleb Swanigan have given up on the NBA bubble.
Mavericks: Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) is day to day. Guard Courtney Lee (calf) is out of season. Guard Jalen Brunson (shoulder) is out. Center Willie Cauley-Sten has not rejoined the team on the bubble.
– Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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