Damian Lillard and his crew are pumped from Dame’s 61-point explosion, while Luka Doncic and the visiting Dallas Mavericks are looking to bounce back from a frustrating loss.
This will also be their second meeting this week. The Mavs won this past Saturday, 120-112, to knot the season series at 1-1.
HOME TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers (19-26, 10-10 at home)
The Blazers are in the middle of a down year, but they got some much-needed confidence Tuesday when their All-Star point guard, Damian Lillard, basically activated god mode. He lorded over the Golden State Warriors’ defense in the 129-124 overtime win and posted career-highs of 61 points and 11 three-pointers.
With the victory, Portland snapped a two-game skid and built a good start to the team’s four-game homestand.
Lillard double-doubled against the Mavericks last Saturday (34 pts, 10 asst) and he’s averaging 31 PPG in the season series. He may have to continue putting up similar numbers as CJ McCollum (ankle) is still day-to-day. Carmelo Anthony (16.2 PPG), who chipped in 22 points in the previous meeting, will be helping him out should McCollum be unavailable.
Big man Hassan Whiteside is a favorable match-up opposite the undermanned Mavs frontcourt. The towering seven-footer hung 21 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks on Dallas over the weekend.
ROAD TEAM: Dallas Mavericks (27-16, 14-5 on the road)
The Mavericks suffered three losses on Wednesday. They dropped a tight game to the LA Clippers, 110-107, snapped a four-game winning streak, and also lost starting forward Dwight Powell (achilles) to a season-ending injury – just when Kristaps Porzingis (knee) finally returned from a 10-game absence.
Porzingis is still feeling things out but don’t count him out in having a productive night. He got busy in his match-up with the Blazers last October – 32 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
In terms of versatility, though, Luka Doncic is obviously their best player. Look for the Slovenian to keep obliterating the stat sheet tomorrow as he’s averaging 32 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and five treys against Portland this season.
Resident wing shooter Tim Hardaway Jr. (17.7 PPG in his last six) should be able to contribute nicely as well. He has acted as a decent secondary option whenever Porzingis is out or having an off-night. He also scored 29 points and buried five three-pointers in the meeting last Saturday.
PREDICTION:
Dame will come out firing but the Mavs eventually earn a 118-110 win to go up in the season series. Luka, Porzingis, and Hardaway will lead the way.
