Mavericks Looking to Rebound in Upcoming Home Stand
As the Dallas Mavericks gear up for a seven-game home stand, beginning with a match against the struggling Portland Trail Blazers, they carry a mixed bag of recent performances. The Mavericks, holding a 19-15 record, are currently positioned seventh in the Western Conference. Despite a challenging season, they are favored to win their upcoming game by an 11-point lead.
The team's performance at home has been inconsistent. They kicked off the season with a promising 4-1 record in their own arena but have since stumbled to a less impressive 4-6 in recent home games. This stretch includes a particularly disappointing loss where Dallas scored only 11 points in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz, culminating in a 127-90 defeat.
During that game against Utah, the Mavericks struggled from beyond the arc, making just 11 out of 40 three-point attempts. Luka Doncic, who averages an impressive 33.4 points and 9.4 assists per game, had an off night, shooting 3-for-13 on three-pointers. The Mavericks will need to shake off this shooting slump as they look to capitalize on their home-court advantage in the coming games.
Trail Blazers in a Downward Spiral
The Portland Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have had their own set of challenges. With a 9-23 record, they are experiencing a difficult season. Portland has also lost 11 of their last 14 games, including a 109-88 setback against the Phoenix Suns. The Trail Blazers' away record stands at 12-16, and they will be looking to improve it during their visit to Dallas.
In their recent loss to the Suns, Scoot Henderson was one of the few bright spots for Portland, scoring 17 points and dishing out six assists. Jerami Grant added 15 points, while Malcolm Brogdon contributed 10 points and five assists. However, the team's overall performance was lackluster, as they were outscored 66-32 across the second and third quarters.
Portland's roster has been hit by absences, with Anfernee Simons sidelined due to illness and Deandre Ayton unavailable because of a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, Henderson has provided some consistency, scoring in double figures for five consecutive games.
Coaches Reflect on Team Performances
Following the heavy loss to Utah, Mavericks head coach Jason Frederick Kidd did not mince words. "Utah was at full speed, we were at half speed," Kidd remarked, highlighting the disparity in energy levels between the two teams. He took responsibility for the poor communication within the team during the game, emphasizing the need for improvement moving forward.
Chauncey Billups, the Trail Blazers' coach, echoed a similar sentiment after his team's defeat to the Suns. "I thought we had a really good first quarter. Then the second quarter happened. We had eight turnovers, they jumped on us, and we just didn't have enough. It was tough for us to score," he said. Billups refused to use the absence of key players as an excuse, insisting that the team's performance simply wasn't up to par.
Historical Edge and Seasonal Dominance
History appears to be on the Mavericks' side as they have dominated recent matchups with the Trail Blazers, winning eight of the last 10 games since 2021. Moreover, Dallas has already beaten Portland twice this season, averaging 128 points in those victories. These past successes may provide the Mavericks with a psychological edge heading into their home stand opener.
Both teams find themselves at a critical juncture in their seasons. For Dallas, the upcoming series of home games presents an opportunity to solidify their standing in the conference and build momentum. Portland, facing an uphill battle, will need to muster all their resilience to turn their fortunes around, starting with their next challenge against the Mavericks.
With both coaches acknowledging their teams' recent shortcomings, fans can expect a spirited contest as each team strives to return to form. The Mavericks, with the support of their home crowd and a star player like Doncic leading the charge, will aim to bounce back from their recent slide. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers will be eager to prove that they can overcome adversity and compete, even in the face of injury and illness.