Mavs Beat Portland
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The Dallas Mavericks opened their homestand with a 105-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle recorded his 500th career win against the Blazers on Wednesday (he improved to 500-353, .586, all-time in the regular season). He became the 28th coach in NBA history to reach the milestone. He is in his fifth season with Dallas and is now 219-142 (.607) all-time with the club. Carlisle, who recorded his 500th victory in his 853rd game, became the 11th-fastest coach in NBA history to reach 500 wins.
Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo went 8-of-9 from the field (3-of-4 from deep) in the first half and scored 20 points in 19 first-half minutes. It was the second time this season he scored at least 20 points in the opening half of a game (22 in first half at Houston 12/8). It was also the third time he scored at least 20 in any half this year (he scored 24 in the second half vs. Detroit 12/1). Mayo finished with a game-high 28 points (11-14 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 3-3 FTs) to go along with four rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes. With the win, the Mavericks improved to 8-3 this season when he scores at least 25 points. Mayo totaled 20-plus points for the third time in his last four games (20th time this season). Dallas is now 13-7 this season when he scores at least 20 points. He led the Mavericks in scoring for the 23rd time this year.
Dallas forward Shawn Marion recorded his 11th double-double of the season (415th career) and his third in his last four games with 13 points (6-13 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) and a game-high-tying 10 rebounds in 31 minutes.
Mavericks swingman Vince Carter (illness) returned to the lineup against Portland after missing the previous game at Oklahoma City (2/4). He tallied 17 points (7-15 FGs, 3-6 3FGs) in 25 minutes off the bench. Carter scored 17-plus points for the fifth time in his last eight games.
Dallas handed out 22 assists against Portland. It was the Mavericks’ 16th consecutive game with at least 20 assists (longest active streak in the NBA).
The Mavericks outshot the Blazers 6-of-10 (.600) to 1-of-14 (.071) from beyond the arc in the second half.
Portland shot 9-of-16 (.563) from deep in the first half, while Dallas went 4-of-10 (.400) from beyond the arc before intermission. Wesley Matthews (4-of-7) and Damian Lillard (3-of-4) shot a combined 7-of-11 (.636) from 3-point range in the first half for Portland. O.J. Mayo (3-of-4) accounted for three of Dallas’ four triples in the opening half.
Dallas recorded only eight turnovers in the game (tied season-low, 8 at Orlando 1/20), while the Blazers committed only six.
The Mavericks next game is against Golden State on Saturday night at the AAC.
