Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers had a fantastic chance to wrap up their five-game trip with a 3-2 record.
Superstars Kyrie Irving (back) and Luka Doncic (calf) were sidelined for their final game against the Dallas Mavericks.
However, the Blazers were unable to capitalize. The Blazers lost 117-111 at American Airlines Center after blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, despite having led for the majority of the game.
The Blazers, who shot 47.7% from the field in the first half, including 10 of 18 from three-point range, had 22 points from Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpeeach. But in the fourth quarter, when the Mavericks shot 55% to support their comeback, they only made 33% of their shots.
According to Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, it was just a bad moment to be cold. However, you must give them credit. They slightly increased the pressure on us. At the basket, I believed we had some chances. I did not receive the call. They did. That was pretty bad.
The Blazers went ahead double digits, only to have the Mavericks return, and then they went up ten or more, only to have the Mavericks return again. This was the pattern of the game.
Ultimately, the Mavericks made a tremendous surge, seized the lead, and never let it go.
Late in the second quarter, the Blazers took a 58-48 lead after coming out strong early. The Blazers lead 89-81 at the beginning of the fourth quarter after the Mavericks pulled within 74-73 in the first half.
Dallas closed the gap to 91-88, but Sharpe’s three-pointer at 4:48 put them behind 109-99.
However, the Mavericks returned. A 109-109 stalemate was reached after a 10-0 surge. With 1:58 left, PJ Washington made a three-pointer from the right corner to give the Mavericks a 112-109 lead.
After a Mavericks miss with less than a minute left, the Blazers gave up an offensive rebound after failing to score twice on offense. Quintin Grimes scored on a drive after Simons fouled him as a result.
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, in Dallas, guard Scoot Henderson (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers takes a shot against Daniel Gafford (21) of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Photo courtesy of Richard W. Rodriguez/AP) APAP
With 31.8 seconds left, Grimes sank the free throw to give the Jazz a 115-109 lead.
According to Billups, “a lot of guys played well in the game.” We simply were unable to overcome the obstacle.
Toumani Camara and Sharpe made two odd drives in the last minute that didn’t go the Blazers’ way. On drives to the basket, it looked like both players were folding. A no-call was the outcome of Camara’s play. After Dallas contested, the original ruling of a foul on Sharpe’s play was overturned.
It’s strange that you learn something new with these rules every night, Billups remarked.
Dallas was led by Jaden Hardy, who scored 25 points off the bench. Dereck Lively II, a center, got 21 points and 16 rebounds while Washington scored 23 points.
The Mavericks scored 23 second-chance points and outscored the Blazers 53-43. The fourth quarter saw nine.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
When the Blazers (13-24) faced a team missing two players who average 52.4 points per game combined, they lost back-to-back games for the third time this season.
After dropping their first five games in a row, including a 126-122 setback to the Blazers on December 28, the Mavericks (22-16) won their second straight game.
The season series was won 3-1 by the Mavericks.
CLINGAN DONOVAN
With 11 points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Mavericks, the rookie center, who rested during Wednesday’s victory over the Pelicans, had a significant influence.
Billups remarked, “I thought DC played great.” Yes, I did. He had solid minutes.
HENDERSON SCOOT
Off the bench, the second-year point guard made a career-high 12 free throws and finished with 20 points and four assists.
Robert Williams III
After missing three games, the backup center made a comeback to the starting lineup at New Orleans. However, he did not play on Thursday since the Blazers do not utilize him in back-to-back games.
During the victory over the Pelicans, rookie Donovan Clingan made his comeback to the starting lineup.
UPCOMING
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, the Blazers will welcome the Miami Heat at home.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
