The Dallas Mavericks began the new year with a performance they’re not used to — and one they’re not eager to repeat.
The Utah Jazz disposed of Dallas on Monday in a 127-90 rout that saw the Mavericks manage just 11 fourth-quarter points. Coach Jason Kidd and his squad hope to get back on track Wednesday when they host Portland in the front half of a two-game home set against the Trail Blazers.
The second-highest scoring team in the Western Conference at 118.3 points per game, the Mavericks failed to score more than 90 points for just the second time this season en route to the 37-point defeat.
“(Utah) was at full speed, we were at half speed,” Kidd said. “Any time that happens, you’re not going to have any success. Our energy was down for pretty much the whole game. … The communication for our group was non-existent tonight and as a coach, I take the blame for that, but we have got to be better.”
Dallas’ lack of 3-point production proved costly on Monday, as the Mavericks shot just 11 of 40 (27.5 percent) from long range, including a 3-for-13 showing from Luka Doncic.
The Mavericks’ star led the team with 19 points and 14 assists but struggled from the field, connecting on just six of his 20 field-goal attempts. Despite the off-night, Doncic has had a career season through 31 games, averaging 33.4 points per game and 9.4 assists, while shooting 37.8 percent on his 3-point attempts, all career bests.
If there’s any team Dallas would like to face in order to turn its fortune around, it’s the Portland Trail Blazers. Dallas has won eight of 10 games against Portland dating back to 2021, including a pair of wins this season over the Trail Blazers.
In its two victories over Portland this year, Dallas has averaged 128 points, with Doncic averaging 36 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds across the two matchups.
Losers of 10 of its 13 December games, Portland experienced more of the same on Monday, falling to the Phoenix Suns, 109-88.
After a positive start to the game, Portland was outscored 66-32 in the second and third quarters en route to its 12th road loss in 16 games.
“I thought we had a really good first quarter,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “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.”
The injury bug didn’t help Trail Blazers’ cause, as they were without their leading scorer on the season, Anfernee Simons (illness) and top rebounder Deandre Ayton (knee). At 27.1 points per game, Simons is having a breakout season since being derailed by a thumb injury in the season opener in mid-October.
“I don’t make excuses,” Billups added. “No matter who’s out there, it’s an NBA player and someone who deserves to be here. We had guys who were out there playing their hearts out. We just didn’t play well enough to win.”
Portland’s offense was led by 17 points from rookie Scoot Henderson, who has improved after a slow start to his career. The third overall pick has scored in double figures in each of his last five games.
–Field Level Media
