Dallas couldn’t get it done on the second night of a back-to-back despite a late comeback
The short-handed Dallas Mavericks fell to the Portland Trailblazers, 126-122 Saturday night in Portland. Tonight’s loss comes off the second night of a back-to-back that included a win in Phoenix. The shorthanded Mavericks were without the services of Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Dereck Lively (left hip contusion) who sustained injuries during the Christmas Day matchup against the Timberwolves. Joined by the two on the injury report were Naji Marshall (four-game suspension) and PJ Washington (one-game suspension) following Friday night’s altercation, as well as Dante Exum, who is recovering from wrist surgery. Chauncey Billups, Delano Blanton, Toumani Camara, and Robert Williams were all out for Portland.
The Mavericks were led by Kyrie Irving with a season-high 46. The Blazers were led by Shaedon Sharpe with 23 and Anfernee Simons with 22.
The Mavericks got off to a slow start, ending the first quarter with 25 points to the Blazers’ 36. The Mavericks couldn’t handle DeAndre Ayton in this period, allowing 10 points and seven rebounds, paired with two blocks. Irving and Klay Thompson were the only two to get it going for the Mavericks in the first quarter, combining for 16 points.
Dallas couldn’t close the gap in the second quarter, finishing the period down 69-59. Irving went on a heater and was the primary source of the Mavericks offense in this quarter, scoring 15 points. The Mavericks continued to let the uber-athletic Shaedon Sharpe have his way in the first half, allowing him 16 points.
Dallas couldn’t make up for their ten-point deficit in the third quarter and their uninspiring offense led them to a 15-point deficit to overcome in the final period. Irving once again went off on a heater in the fourth quarter per Kyrie fashion with 20 points. The 15-point lead disappeared by the midpoint of the quarter, where Dallas found themselves down by five. Despite Irving’s 20-point quarter, the Mavericks couldn’t get enough stops to complete the comeback.
Here are some quick key takeaways from tonight’s game.
Kyrie Irving continues to lead the Mavericks in Doncic’s absence
Watching Kyrie Irving play basketball leaves you with the same feeling you once had on Christmas morning after finally getting that gift you begged your parents for. Irving led the way again for the Mavericks with 46, with 24 coming in the first half. Irving has been excellent during Doncic’s absences and tonight was another example, proving that he deserves an All-Star selection this season.
While the scoring gap wasn’t completely closed by halftime, Irving’s previously mentioned heater made the game feel attainable heading into the second half. The Mavericks are going to have to heavily rely on Irving while Luka is out, but he can’t do it alone like he did tonight.
Spencer Dinwiddie showed up to the party late
Spencer Dinwiddie couldn’t get it going tonight until late in the fourth quarter, finishing with 17 on 38% shooting in 35 minutes. While his late efforts (eight straight points to end the game) made the game feel attainable, his efforts unfortunately did not come earlier in the game to prevent being in that very situation. The Mavericks cannot afford a game like this from him while he is in the starting lineup amidst Doncic’s injury, especially against a lottery team. I expect we will see a bounce-back game from him soon, but I suspect tonight’s game would have gone a lot differently if his shots were falling.
It’s going to be a tough road ahead
The road ahead for the Mavericks won’t be easy. With Doncic’s injury that will leave him sidelined for at least a month, combined with the uncertainty of Lively’s recent injury, Dallas’ depth will be put to the test. Things won’t look as rocky once Marshall and Washington return from their suspensions, but how they deal with the upcoming slate (Rockets, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Lakers, Nuggets) will be a testament to the toughness and identity of this team.
The Mavericks will be back in action on Monday, when they travel to Sacramento to face the Kings, who recently fired coach Mike Brown, at 9 p.m. CST.