Mavs Lose To Trailblazers
The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Portland Trailblazers 107-93 Friday night at the American Airlines Center.
The Mavericks were within two (65-63) with under 4 minutes to go in the third quarter, but the Blazers used a 10-2 run to extend the lead to 10 (75-65) with 1:19 left in the period. Portland took a 75-68 advantage into the final frame.
Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes registered team highs of 21 points and seven rebounds to go along with three assists, one steal and one block in 34 minutes. He posted his 20th 20-point effort of the season (76th career). Barnes led Dallas in scoring for the 23rd time this season. He led the team in rebounding for the 23rd time as well.
Mavericks rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. produced 18 points (7-14 FGs, 4-7 3FGs), four rebounds, a game-high seven assists and two steals in 33 minutes. He scored at least 17 points for the sixth time in his last eight games and at least 15 points for the seventh time in his last eight contests. Smith is averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 32.5 minutes per game over his last eight games (1/9-1/26). He is shooting 44.4 percent (56-of-126) from the field and 86.2 percent (25-of-29) from the foul line in the span.
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard tallied a game-high 29 points (9-18 FGs, 3-8 3FGs, 8-11 FTs), including 11 in the second quarter and 14 in the fourth, to go along with three rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes. He scored 20-plus points for the 31st time in his first 42 games of the season.
Blazers guard CJ McCollum totaled 20 points (9-14 FGs, 1-4 3FGs, 1-1 FTs), including 11 in the first quarter, to go along with four rebounds and five assists in 33 minutes. He scored at least 20 points for the 30th time in his first 48 games of the season.
The Mavericks recorded only five turnovers (resulting in five points), while the Blazers committed 15 miscues (leading to 14 points). The five giveaways by Dallas were one shy of the franchise record for fewest in a game (4, achieved 10 times, including once this season). It was the Mavericks’ 11th game with single-digit turnovers this year.
The Mavericks used a 15-2 run in the opening quarter to turn a one-point deficit (11-10) into a 12-point advantage (25-13). Dallas led 25-17 after one.
Dallas led by seven (36-29) midway through the second quarter, but Portland closed the period on a 23-8 run (capped off by a Damian Lillard 18-foot jumper with 1.1 seconds remaining) and took an eight-point lead (52-44) into the locker room at the half. The Blazers outscored the Mavericks 35-19 in the second stanza.
The Mavericks used a 12-2 spurt early in the third quarter to trim a 12-point deficit (59-47) down to two (61-59). Dallas trailed 65-63 with under 4 minutes to go in the third frame, but Portland used a 10-2 spurt to build a 75-65 cushion. The Blazers took a seven-point lead (75-68) into the fourth quarter.
Nerlens Noel (left thumb surgery), Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee quadriceps tendinitis) and Seth Curry (stress reaction, left tibia) all missed the game for Dallas due to injury. Devin Harris (personal reasons), Johnathan Motley (G League) and Jalen Jones (G League) were not with the Mavericks. Evan Turner (personal reasons) and Caleb Swanigan (G League) were not with the Blazers.
The attendance for the game was 19,876. The Mavericks have now sold out 664 consecutive regular-season home games, which is an NBA-best sellout streak. The streak began on 12/15/01 and Dallas has sold out an additional 67 playoff games during that same stretch.
The Mavericks’ next game is at Denver on Jan. 27 at 8:00 p.m. CT
