Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 23

The Portland Trail Blazers take another crack at the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Portland will hope to even its season series after losing 137-131 earlier this month. Anfernee Simons and Co. have to play well on both ends to pull off an upset on the road, though.

The Mavericks have Luka Doncic on the injury list. After sitting out back-to-back games against the LA Clippers, the Slovenian is questionable due to a left heel contusion. If Luka Magic remains out, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Dereck Lively will lead the hosts.

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

The American Airlines Center will host the Blazers-Mavericks game. Fans can stream the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Blazers (+350) vs. Mavericks (-450)

Odds: Blazers (+10.0) vs. Mavericks (-10.0)

Total (O/U): Blazers (o228.0 -110) vs. Mavericks (u228.0 -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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Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks preview

The Portland Trail Blazers must step up defensively to have any hope of pulling the rug from under their hosts. Portland, which has the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA, has to show improved effort, discipline and communication to slow down the Mavs.

On offense, Portland must limit its turnovers. The Blazers cannot afford to hit their 16.3 turnovers per game average, which is the fifth worst in the NBA. Dallas will punish Portland if it's careless on the ball.

The Dallas Mavericks might hold out Luka Doncic to give him more time to rest his ailing heel. Without the MVP contender on Saturday against the Clippers, the Mavs did just fine. Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dereck Lively and PJ Washington have to help carry the offensive load whether Doncic plays or not.

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Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks predicted starting lineups

Blazers

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

Mavericks

PG: Kyrie Irving | PG: Spencer Dinwiddie | SG: Klay Thompson | PF: PJ Washington | C: Dereck Lively

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Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks betting tips

The last time Luka Doncic played, he pummelled the Golden State Warriors for 48 points. If he's cleared to play, Doncic might not be 100% but is still likely to top his 27.5 (O/U) points prop. Portland has had trouble slowing down big-scoring guards, an issue that could surface against the Slovenian.

Anfernee Simons is averaging 22.0 points in his last five games on 44.7% shooting. He could eke past his 18.5 (O/U) points prop on Monday.

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Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks prediction

Portland has had trouble executing on both ends, particularly away from Rip City where they are only 3-12. Dallas’ methodical and bruising style, with or without Luka Doncic, could push it to another win and beat the -10.0 spread.