Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 28, 2024 

The Dallas Mavericks continue a four-game road trip with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Dallas can win the season series if they beat the host for the third time this season. Luka Doncic remains out with a strained calf, but Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Klay Thompson are ready to lead the Mavs.

The Trail Blazers hope to break through against the Mavs with Doncic sidelined with an injury. Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe will lead Portland’s attempt to pull off an upset. The Blazers could be undermanned if their players with questionable status are not cleared to play.

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Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview, Prediction, Starting Lineups and Betting Tips

The Moda Center in Portland will host the Mavericks-Blazers showdown. Basketball fans can stream the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Mavericks (-190) vs. Blazers (+160)

Odds: Mavericks (-4.0) vs. Blazers (+4.0)

Total (O/U): Mavericks (o223.5 -110) vs. Blazers (u223.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers preview

The Dallas Mavericks survived with a gritty 98-89 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday behind a stellar defensive effort. Jason Kidd’s crew, however, could be missing PJ Washington and Naji Marshall, who got involved in a fracas with Jusuf Nurkic. Kyrie Irving had a rough-shooting night, but the defense won it for them.

The Mavericks could continue their dominance over their opponents if they can sustain their impressive performance on defense.

The Portland Trail Blazers are 2-8 in their last 10 games. In their only wins, they beat their opponents by a combined four points. Portland struggles to score points, so somebody stepping up on that end will be crucial for an upset.

Defense isn’t a strong suit by the Blazers as well. They’ve struggled to stop opponents and rank 27th in the NBA in defensive rating. Matisse Thybulle is out, while Robert Williams is questionable. If they can’t play, the hosts have to find ways to compete defensively.

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Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers predicted starting lineups

Mavericks

PG: Kyrie Irving | SG: Spencer Dinwiddie | SG: Klay Thompson | PF: Maxi Kleber | C: Daniel Gafford

Blazers

PG: Anfernee Simons | SG: Shaedon Sharpe | SF: Toumani Camara | PF: Jerami Grant | C: Deandre Ayton

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Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers betting tips

Kyrie Irving scored 20 points on 6-for-21 shooting in the Mavericks’ win over the Phoenix Suns. Uncle Drew could bounce back from the lackluster showing with a big-scoring game against Portland’s struggling defense. Irving could top his 26.5 (O/U) points prop.

Anfernee Simons is averaging 12.0 points in his last three games. In his last game against the Mavericks, he labored for 10 points on 5-for-12 shooting. The Mavericks could clamp down on him and limit him to under 18.5 (O/U).

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Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers prediction

Naji Marshall and PJ Washington started with Luka Doncic out. Marshall and Washington, two of the Dallas Mavericks’ tough and hard-nosed defenders, could be looking at a suspension. If both are not cleared, the Mavericks could still emerge with the win but allow the Portland Trail Blazers to cover the +4.0 spread.