Dallas (27-16) at Portland (19-26)
When: Thursday, January 23rd, 2020
Where: Moda Center,
Portland, OR
Time: 10:35 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Dallas -4.5/229
The Dallas Mavericks’ four-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Tuesday, but that wasn’t the worst news. Forward Dwight Powell was lost for the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon after falling to the court untouched during the 110-107 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and surgical options are being discussed. The Mavericks look to bounce back on Thursday when they begin a three-game road trip in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Dallas will begin the night tied with the Houston Rockets for fifth place in the Western Conference standings, 2.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the all-important fourth slot. The Mavericks goal Thursday is to slow down the momentum that Portland’s Damian Lillard is on. The 6’2″ guard erupted for his second 60-point outing of the season, breaking his own franchise records with 61 points and 11 three-pointers in Monday’s 129-124 overtime win over the visiting Golden State Warriors. Lillard became the sixth player in NBA history with multiple 60-point games, joining Wilt Chamberlain (32 times), Kobe Bryant (six), Michael Jordan (five), Elgin Baylor (four) and James Harden (four). Portland is trying to climb out of a hole they dug themselves to begin the season and are currently two games out of a playoff spot. The teams have split two meetings in Dallas already this season with the Mavericks winning the most recent one 120-112 just six days ago.
The loss of Powell could be tough to overcome, as he averaged 14.4 points and shot 78.3 percent from the field (47-of-60) over the previous eight games. He was taking minutes that were left with the abscence of power forward Kristaps Porzingis, who returned Tuesday with 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting after missing 10 games. Dallas is still led by guard Luka Doncic, who made a career-best eight 3-pointers while recording 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the Mavericks win over Portland last Friday. Doncic has 12 triple-doubles this season and fell one assist shy of another on Tuesday. Dallas heads to Utah on Saturday.
Lillard wasn’t the only reason Portland won on Monday. Center Hassan Whiteside had a big night with 17 points, 21 rebounds and six blocked shots against Golden State and has five 20-rebound efforts this season. Lillard had 34 points and 10 rebounds in the recent loss to Dallas, but were without fellow guard CJ McCollum (ankle), who was injured in the game and could miss his third straight game. Veteran forward Carmelo Anthony logged a season high 43 minutes versus the Warriors and produced 14 points and nine rebounds. Portland will host Indiana on Sunday.
Despite the loss of Powell, the Mavericks are still a better team than Portland. They’ve also had recent success covering the spread in Portland (6-1 ATS run). The Blazers have failed to cover each of their last seven home games. I’ll take Dallas in this one.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Thursday. He is 47-42-3 on the season!
Pick: Mavericks -4.5
Mavericks are 2-0-2 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Mavericks are 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 games as a road favorite.
Mavericks are 20-6-2 ATS in their last 28 road games.
Mavericks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Mavericks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Mavericks are 17-6-2 ATS in their last 25 games following a ATS loss.
Mavericks are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss.
Mavericks are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Trail Blazers are 18-6 ATS in their last 24 Thursday games.
Trail Blazers are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Trail Blazers are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 3-11-2 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Trail Blazers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Trail Blazers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.
Trail Blazers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 0-4-2 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
Trail Blazers are 0-4-2 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Trail Blazers are 0-5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Trail Blazers are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Over is 4-0 in Mavericks last 4 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 6-2 in Mavericks last 8 Thursday games.
Over is 8-3 in Mavericks last 11 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 12-5 in Mavericks last 17 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 6-2 in Trail Blazers last 8 games as a home underdog.
Over is 25-9 in Trail Blazers last 34 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-2 in Trail Blazers last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 32-13-1 in Trail Blazers last 46 home games.
Mavericks are 20-7 ATS in the last 27 meetings.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Mavericks are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Portland.
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Portland.
