Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction: Another thrilling battle between these two?

The NBA Regular Season is on and as we head deeper, each game will only carry more value. Each team plays 82 games so there are twists and turns but unless the price on every same game is similar for the coaches, the record is going to suffer. So far, there have been some unprecedented starts to the campaigns. This stays true in the case of the Dallas Mavericks which will take on the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Mavericks enter the game after one of their worst performances, losing 90:105 at home against the Cavaliers. The Mavs are now right at 50% win mark with 14 wins and 14 losses, having lost three of the last four games. Luka Doncic has continued to smoke defenses and has scored 30 or more consistently but the team’s lack of scoring depth has now become too dangerous for them.

Spencer Dinwiddie’s production like last season has started to reduce as the season has progressed. Tim Hardaway and Christian Wood are decent scorers but overall, the Mavs have suffered on that end, especially at the Forward position. Reggie Bullock hasn’t clicked at all, Dorian Finney-Smith is inconsistent whereas the team lacks the scoring balance that can aid Luka better.

The Trail Blazers come into this affair after defeating the Spurs 128:112 as Damian Lillard scooped up 37 points. Portland has now won three in a row, five out of his last six and they have now won 16 and lost 12, which is a big improvement from last season. With Lillard out, they lost a bunch of games, but since he has been back, the team is on fire. They have scored at least 116 in each of the last six games whereas they have posted 120 or more in four straight games.

Apart from Lillard, Jerami Grant has been scoring 20 or more consistently, and having Anfernee Simons gives them three 20+ point scorers, a dimension that has provided immense depth. The defense has scope for improvement but overall, the Trail Blazers have been getting it done lately. They are going to play five more away from home games but there are some easy games in between.

• Mavericks: OUT: Maxi Kleber, Josh Green. QUESTIONABLE: Davis Bertans;
• Trail Blazers: OUT: Gary Payton II, Nasir Little. PROBABLE: Trendon Watford, Josh Hart, Drew Eubanks.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Damian Lillard(33-36 Points), Luka Doncic(30-35 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Jusuf Nurkic(10-13 Rebounds), Christian Wood(8-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Damian Lillard(8-11 Assists), Luka Doncic(8-11 Assists).

The Mavericks have been playing some poor basketball lately. Their offense is just about Luka and perhaps they need a fresh set of players or a renovated brand of sets. Meanwhile, the offense hasn’t been an issue for Portland, considering they have multiple scorers who can assist the incredible efforts of Damian Lillard who is one of those sweet spots he hits every season. I see the Guard hitting that sweet spot again and enabling the Trail Blazers to a win. I predict a scoreline of 115:110 in favor of Portland.