3 considerations prior to the Dallas taking on Portland

The Mavericks are on the second night of a back-to-back

The Dallas Mavericks (20-11) take on the Portland Trailblazers (10-20) on Saturday night. It’s a late start for local fans and the Mavericks are on the road still on night two of a back-to-back. Dallas is coming off a fun, weird win against the Suns, but there’s no rest for the weary. Portland has been idle for a day, soaking up a fun Scoot Henderson game-winner over the Utah Jazz.

Despite the somewhat unfair element of playing a two-game road back-to-back, this is a chance to rack up another win against a lesser opponent and push for the three-seed tie with the Houston Rockets (who the Mavericks play on New Year’s Day). The Blazers will be without regular head coach Chauncy Billups, who is missing the game due to the passing of his grandmother.

Here’s some musings written at 1:00 am to consider prior to the game starting.

Who all even plays for Dallas?

The obvious people missing the game are easy. Luka Doncic and Dante Exum are easy with injuries. Dereck Lively missed the Friday night game with a hip issue, but one has to think he could play but Dallas is being cautious. Naji Marshall is very likely to be suspended for the altercation Friday with the Suns center Jusif Nurkic. PJ Washington SHOULD play, but you never know with who the NBA is with suspensions. Kyrie Irving says he’s playing but he also just played 77 minutes in the last two games over three days. He needs rest!

That doesn’t leave a lot of guys who we’re happy with initiating the offense. Kyrie and Naji CAN do these things, but Kyrie needs less stress game in and out and Naji will likely get suspended. That means more Dinwiddie like the past few games, and that’s always the sort of experience that ends so well or with Dinwiddie going 0-6 on threes. So enjoy thinking about that for the next few hours.

PJ Washington, re-establishing a groove

It’s been a few games since a strong PJ Washington performance. After getting ejected against the Suns, perhaps Washington is ready to pick up where he left off. His double-digit points scored streak ended and he’s been less impactful. But with Doncic going out for the foreseeable future, one has to think the Mavericks will push for more Washington touches. Particularly in the post, if I can ask for nice things. I like watching him operate.

How does Greg Oden figure into this?

Look at this, which I think is pretty fascinating.

If you don’t know what’s been going on with Oden since he slipped away from basketball, it’s worth the time to go find out. He’s life’s been difficult at times and it’s interesting (and good) that he wants to reconnect with his NBA Roots. He’s going to talk to this team without their head coach before the game and I’m curious to see whether he can inspire someone like DeAndre Ayton.

How to watch

The game will be on Channel 29, whatever that is, and Mavs TV. We’ll also have a Playback room going with David and I (Kirk) covering the game as we watch it.