The Portland Trail Blazers, fresh off one of their most comprehensive performances of the season, once again played well against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.
However, the Blazers had no solution for Luka Doncic when the annoying turnover issue reappeared.
In a 137-131 loss at the Moda Center, the Blazers’ season-high 58.1% three-point shooting and a 24-point third-quarter explosion from Anfernee Simons were overshadowed by 21 turnovers.
The Blazers won the last turnover. Shaedon Sharpe dribbled behind his back while driving and had the ball swatted loose, putting Portland trailing 132-129.
With 29.9 seconds left, Dallas center Daniel Gafford made a slam to give the Mavericks a 134-129 lead.
With 24.4 seconds remaining, a Jerami Grant three-pointer was unsuccessful.
Doncic led Dallas with 36 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds despite being sidelined due to a wrist injury.
According to Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, he is a unique player.
Simons was the Blazers’ story for the first three quarters. He had more fouls (four) than points (three) in the first half. That changed in the third quarter, when he scored 24 points and hit 5 of 6 three-pointers.
According to Billups, he caught fire during that third quarter.
But he also received his fifth foul, and with 8:12 left in the fourth quarter, he fouled out.
Simons finished with five assists and 27 points. Six out of eight threes were made by him. Toumani Camara scored 17 points on 5 of 7 shots. 22 points were scored by Shaedon Sharpe.
The Blazers made 18 of 31 long-range attempts (58.1%).
We had a great time today, Billups stated.
Additionally, the Blazers gave up only three points on second chances. However, the Mavericks scored 33 points as a result of those turnovers.
According to Billups, “that’s a huge, huge number against any team, and it doesn’t even have to be a really good team.” It’s difficult to get past that.
The Blazers, who only had 12 turnovers in their victory against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, had 13 of their 25 points on eight turnovers in the first quarter against the Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, dribbles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (Photo by Howard Lao/AP) APAP
After overcoming such errors, the Blazers led 29–25 after making 5 of 11 three-pointers.
Luke Doncic, after going 2 of 7 in the first quarter, made all six of his shots in the second quarter to finish the first half with 20 points and eight assists.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
The Blazers (8-13) blew an opportunity to get a win against the Mavericks (13-8), who were without Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II.
INJURIES
Grant returned from missing two games with a knee strain and scored 14 points with six assists and five rebounds. He returned to the starting lineup, while Deni Avdija came off the bench for 21 points and four rebounds.
Guard Scoot Henderson remained out with a left quad contusion.
NEXT UP
The Blazers play at the LA Clippers (12-9 entering Sunday) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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— Aaron Fentress |[email protected]|@AaronJFentress(Twitter),@AaronJFentress(Instagram),@AaronFentress(Facebook)
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