The Dallas Mavericks returned to the American Airlines Center and returned to the series lead Monday night with a 93-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Mavericks take a 3-game to 2 lead in the best of 7 series. The home team has won all nine meetings between the Mavericks and the Blazers this year (including all four regular-season meetings).
Tyson Chandler, who managed a then postseason-high six points in Game 4 at Portland on April 23, posted his first double-double of the playoffs with 14 points and a playoff career-high 20 boards (13 OR) in Game 5 on Monday. His 13 offensive rebounds marked the most by any Maverick in a postseason game. Roy Tarpley held the record with 11 (vs. the L.A. Lakers on 5/27/88) before Chandler pulled down 13 in Game 5. Chandler’s career-high for offensive rebounds in a regular-season game is 12 (on two occasions).
For the second time in the series, four Mavericks scored in double figures (Nowitzki, Terry, Marion and Chandler). Dirk Nowitzki (game-high 25) and Jason Terry (20) combined for 45 of Dallas’ 93 points in the contest. The Mavericks have now had two 20-point scorers in four of the first five playoff games.
The Mavericks outshot the Blazers 26-of-35 (.743) to 14-of-19 (.737) at the line in the game. They were 9-1 in the regular season when they attempted 30-plus free throws.
Game 6 at Portland is on April 28 at 8:00 p.m.
