The Dallas Mavericks open a four game road set this evening with a showdown against Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Start time in tonight’s meeting between the Mavericks and Blazers is set for 10:00pm ET. According to the latest NBA Odds Portland is expected to win tonight’s game; the Blazers are listed as a -3 against the spread and a -150 moneyline favorite ($150 wins $100). The total in this evening’s game is set at 201.5 points.
Dallas brings an unspectacular 19-25 record into tonight’s contest, but it has played well of late, winning six of its last eight games. The Mavericks, who earned wins over the Kings and Magic in their last two road outings, notched their 12th home win of the season on Sunday with a 110-95 triumph over the Suns.
Dallas took advantage of the Suns suspect defense as it connected on 45-of-88 field goal attempts while also downing 5-of-11 from three point range. Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion led the Mavs offensively; the pair combined for 36 points while reserves Elton Brand, Dahntay Jones, and Vince Carter scored 12, 11, and 15 points respectively.
At 22-22 Portland owns a better record than Dallas, but the two teams have headed in opposite directions over the last couple of weeks. While the Mavericks were showing signs of improvement, the Blazers were hitting the skids. Portland has dropped seven of its last nine games and four of those setbacks came at the Rose Garden, a venue that has generally been unkind to visitors.
The Blazers are 2-1 in their last three games, though, as they recovered from a six game losing streak with back to back home wins over the Pacers (100-80) and Clippers (101-100). Portland, which fell 114-91 at Dallas earlier this season, has also won four of its last six games playing as a home favorite against the Mavericks.
Free Pick: Take the Blazers -3. Portland is 5-1 both straight up and against the spread over the last two years playing as a home favorite of 0 to 3 points coming off a road loss.
Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Odds:
Dallas Mavericks +3 (-110), Over 201.5 (-110), +130 (Moneyline)
Portland Trail Blazers -3 (-110), Under 201.5 (-110), -150 (Moneyline)
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