Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard going head-to-head is just what the world wants to see right now. As the Mavs come to Portland on Friday night, they’ll get that. Both of these teams are jockeying for position in a tight Western conference, so a lot is on the line in this game.
Dallas picked up a win against the Clippers on Wednesday as Luka Doncic put on a show. He has been incredible all year, and it really is a shame that he doesn’t have a consistent sidekick. It has become increasingly clear that the future Dallas envisioned with Luka and Kristaps Porzingis will never quite come to fruition. They may or may not make deals at the deadline next week, but they ought to really consider it. They haven’t advanced in the playoffs in a decade.
Portland, meanwhile, just got CJ McCollum back, giving Damian Lillard his sidekick again. On some nights, CJ is the #1 option, while Dame sort of functions as a decoy. One thing is for certain, and it is that they form a lethal 1-2 punch. No team can handle both of them in the same game. That’s how they made the conference finals just two years ago.
ODDS: The visiting Mavs are serving as -3 favorites. The over/under is set at 234 points.
Mavs Seeking Road Win
The Mavs enter this game with a 21-18 record, and it’s hard to grade their year. Only Luka has been a constant here, with injuries + health and safety protocol forcing constant lineup alterations. Naming their normal rotation is almost impossible because every single game, new players are getting opportunities for the Mavs.
With guys like Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith, they have floor spacers who are tremendous at the defensive end. They can both knock down the three and have proven to doubters who chose not to draft them just why they are so valuable. And it has made Dwight Powell, once extremely important, a guy who isn’t getting minutes every night anymore.
They’ll be looking for Jalen Brunson to have a big performance off the bench.
Blazers Seek Win No. 24
Portland is basically neck-and-neck with the Nuggets in the playoff race. Each team has found a way to win despite some changes in the lineup throughout. Portland added two forward in Derrick Jones Jr. and Robert Covington to play as Al-Farouq Aminu, and Moe Harkless did a few years ago. But it hasn’t quite had the effect they intended it to.
Dame has continued to be a top NBA player, while the team has found a way to win without Jusuf Nurkic. After his triumphant return in the bubble, it’s been hard to watch him sit most of this year with an injury again. It marks the third straight season where an injury had to dictate his ability and opportunity.
Look for both Dame and CJ to have big performances against a Mavs team that struggles to contain sharpshooting playmakers.
Portland Gets the W
They are three-point underdogs, but Portland will cover and win the game. Bet on it.
FREE PLAY: BLAZERS -3
OVER/UNDER: OVER 234
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.