Preview: Mavs hoping for rebound game against Blazers

MAVERICKS (27-21) AT PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (20-27)

Time: 9 p.m.

Place: Moda Center, Portland

TV: BSSW

Radio: The Eagle, 97.1 FM; Univision 99.1 FM (Spanish)

About the Mavericks: It was bad enough that the Mavs were ineffective at both ends on the court during Tuesday’s 130-92 loss at the Golden State Warriors. What was even more disheartening is that the Mavs lost guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to a foot injury that could keep him sidelined for a significant amount of time. Hardaway suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal on his left foot with 7:17 remaining in the second quarter and had to be helped off the court. The Mavs appeared shell-shocked by Hardaway’s injury. Hardaway left the game for good with the Mavs only down, 45-40, and they got outscored 85-52 the rest of the way. Coach Jason Kidd said Frank Ntilikina and Theo Pinson are two of the players who have to step up in Hardaway’s absence. . .This is the finale of a brief two-game road trip for Dallas before the Mavs return home to face Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. . .Luka Doncic contributed 25 points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes against the Warriors. Because Golden State led, 97-78, after the third quarter – combined with the Mavs having another game tonight – Kidd opted not to play Doncic in the fourth quarter. . .Jalen Brunson (11 points, five assists) and Hardaway (10 points, 10 minutes) were the only players besides Doncic who reached double-figure scoring against the Warriors. . .This is the Mavs’ second and last trip to Portland this season. Dallas won here on Dec. 27, 132-117, behind 34 points and nine rebounds from Kristaps Porzingis, and 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting in 24 minutes from Dwight Powell. Doncic did not play in that game because he was in the health and safety protocols.

About the Trail Blazers: After falling to 14-24 following a 114-101 loss at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 7, the Blazers have re-grouped and won six of their last nine games. It’s the best stretch of the season for the Blazers since they won seven of 10 games from Nov. 5-23. . .Portland won four of its last five games on the road before returning home and losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, 109-107. The Blazers were up on the Timberwolves by 13 points in the first half. Also, the game was tied at 107, before Portland guard Anfernee Simons was whistled for goaltending with just 2.9 seconds remaining. . .Jusuf Nurkic (20 points, 14 rebounds), Nassir Little (20 points) and Simons (17 points, seven assists) led the Blazers against the Timberwolves, who outscored Portland, 29-19, in the third quarter. It was the career-high sixth straight double-double by Nurkic. That includes him contributing 23 points and 14 boards in a 115-110 victory in Washington on Jan. 15, 21 points and 22 rebounds during a 98-88 win in Orlando on Jan. 17, and 29 points and 17 boards during a 109-105 win in Boston last Friday. . .Damian Lillard (26 points, five assists), Little (20 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two steals), and Norman Powell (15 points) led the way for the Blazers during their 15-point loss to the Mavs on Dec. 27. The Blazers trailed the Mavs in that game at halftime, 72-53, and 106-84 after the third quarter. But Lillard is out indefinitely after recently undergoing abdominal surgery. . .Lillard averages 24 ppg, CJ McCollum is averaging 20.4 ppg, Powell averages 18.3 ppg and Nurkic is averaging 14.4 ppg and 10.9 rpg.

Twitter: @DwainPrice