Final: Mavs 132, Trail Blazers 120
Box Score | Highlights
Behind the Box Score
The Mavs’ pick-and-roll did very well the Blazers in this game, scoring 38 points in 26 possessions. That’s some efficient basketball.
Dirk Nowitzki reached the 20-point plateau for the eighth consecutive game, his longest such streak since the 2010-11 season. He also reached the 30-point mark for the sixth time this season, after doing so just twice last year. The guy is 37 years old. He’s the ninth 37-year-old (or older) to have at least six 30-point games. He scored 40 in this game for the first time since Jan. 11, 2014. He’s the first 37-year-old (or older) to score 40 since Karl Malone and Michael Jordan did it in 2003. He is unreal. This is unprecedented stuff we’re seeing. Dirk has been in all-time rare form lately.
The Mavs shot 61.9 percent from the field and scored 1.500 points per possession in the second quarter, with Dallas winning the frame 33-19. They scored an even-better 1.524 PPP in the third frame, shooting better than 68 percent from the field and ending the quarter on top, 32-27.
The Mavs are now 8-4 in overtime this season.
Notebook
This was the biggest win of the season, bar none. Everyone stepped up, everyone played well, the offense hummed, and the defense came up with some big, timely stops. The win gives Dallas the season series win against the Blazers, as well, which will matter if these two teams finish the season tied in the standings. As far as entertainment value goes, this game is right up there with any other the Mavs have played this season, as well. Things went back and forth practically all game long, with both teams trading double-digit leads early before the game tightened up late. It was a great game to see, and that Dallas pulled out the W makes it even better.
With no Chandler Parsons, who sat out this game with a sore right hamstring, Zaza Pachulia returned to the starting lineup. Wesley Matthews also briefly went to the locker room after appearing to tweak the injury he suffered Friday against Golden State. All of these factors combined meant Rick Carlisle had to try all sorts of different combinations to see what would work, and Portland surging out to a hot start only made matters more difficult. But the coach found something in Salah Mejri, who was outstanding in this game. Justin Anderson also got more run, and Matthews played well, almost exclusively at the small forward position. It’s the time of year when traditional game plans will go out the window. The Mavs have to win games, so Carlisle will try anything and everything to accomplish that goal.
Deron Williams possibly played his best floor game of the season, in terms of running the offense and finding the right balance between creating shots for himself and dishing out passes to others. He was phenomenal, recording 11 assists through three quarters alone, which tied his season-high mark. He finished the game with 16 dimes, his most in a game since March 30, 2012, and a season-high 31 points. Without Parsons, the Mavs had both a playmaking and scoring void to fill, and Williams filled them both. He was sensational.
It was evident, especially early on in this game, that Matthews was still aching after Friday night. Every time he fell down it took plenty of effort and time to get back up. But he got back up. Matthews has proven himself to be one of the toughest players we’ve seen in Dallas ever, and today he matched his toughness with a silky shooting stroke, draining five 3s, his most in a game since Feb. 24. He brought the intensity today.
What’s Next
The Mavs (35-35) play the Portland Trail Blazers in the back half of a home-and-home (36-34) Sunday at the Moda Center. Tip-off is at 9:30 p.m. Central.
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