Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec. 28 | 2024-25 NBA Season

After a thrilling win against the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks is ready to take on a struggling Portland Trail Blazers team on Saturday. The Blazers are winless against the Mavs in their last six encounters but will be determined to get over the line this time in the absence of Luka Doncic.

The Mavs have had a rollercoaster season, and just as it seemed to be getting back on track with consistent results, Luka Doncic's injury has plunged the team into panic mode once again.

In his absence, the Mavericks have managed six wins and two losses, with Kyrie Irving stepping up to lead the team to victory. He scored a team-high 20 points against the Phoenix Suns on Friday and is expected to deliver a similar or even better performance against the Blazers on Saturday.

In stark contrast, the Blazers have only secured two wins in their last ten games. The odds are stacked against them on Saturday, and anything other than a home win for the Mavericks would be a notable upset.

A glaring stat reveals that the Blazers have lost their last six games dating back to Jan. 2023, including a 108-132 thrashing last week.

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Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec. 28

Dallas Mavericks Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Both teams are dealing with injuries to star players and are striving to win games to build momentum. While Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington are all available, there is caution regarding center Dereck Lively II, who is listed as questionable with a hip injury.

Lively did not play in the Mavs’ game against the Suns on Friday, and his availability for Saturday will likely be decided closer to tip-off. Just like Doncic, Dante Exum is also sidelined due to a long-term injury, with their return not expected until early February at the earliest.

Coach Jason Kidd is expected to stick with the same starting lineup that led to the win against the Suns: Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.

Point Guards	Naji Marshall	Jaden Hardy	Spencer Dinwiddie
Shooting Guards	Kyrie Irving	Quentin Grimes	Luka Doncic
Small Forwards	Klay Thompson	Naji Marshall	Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Power Forwards	P.J. Washington	Maxi Kleber	Markieff Morris
Centers	Daniel Gafford	Dereck Lively II	Dwight Powell

Portland Trail Blazers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Amid a hectic festive schedule, the Blazers have several players listed as day-to-day due to injury.

Robert Williams III is dealing with an ankle injury, and it remains unclear whether he will be available on Saturday. Toumani Camara, who started the last game against the Jazz, is nursing a foot injury and will have his status evaluated closer to tipoff. Additionally, guard Dalano Banton is doubtful as he deals with a hip injury.

Barring any last-minute changes, the Blazers are expected to start Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, Toumani Camara and Deandre Ayton.