Opinion
4 min read

Will the Portland Trail Blazers Turn the Tide Against Dallas Mavericks at Moda Center?

In recent matchups, the Portland Trail Blazers have shown a mix of resilience and struggle, painting a complex picture for their upcoming game against the Dallas Mavericks. With an eye on their performance and statistical outcomes from past games, this analysis dives into what fans can expect as these two teams clash at the Moda Center.


DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Dallas Mavericks grabs his ankle in the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center on January 05, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Analyzing Past Performances


The Trail Blazers' journey through the season has been marked by highs and lows. In their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies, they faced a tough defeat with a final score of 98-123. Despite this loss, there were notable efforts from the bench contributing 51 points and securing 55 rebounds in total. However, their shooting accuracy was a concern, with only 33 percent from the field and a mere 17 percent from beyond the arc.


Another game that stands out is their victory over Houston Rockets where they managed to score 104 points against 98. This win showcased better control over ball possession and an improved shooting percentage of 38 percent from the field. Their defense also stepped up with blocks totaling to twelve and steals at five.


DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 5: Duop Reath #26 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 5, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

However, consistency remains elusive for Portland as evidenced by another encounter with Houston Rockets resulting in an 88-116 loss. The team struggled significantly in shooting accuracy (33 percent) and turnovers (21), which contributed to their downfall despite making some gains in second-chance points (22).


Looking Ahead: Strategies for Success


As we pivot towards their face-off with Dallas Mavericks, it's clear that Portland needs to leverage its strengths while addressing glaring weaknesses. The key lies in enhancing field goal percentages and minimizing turnovers - areas where they've faltered consistently across previous games.


DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers passes the ball against Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks and Jaden Hardy #1 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on January 05, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Defensively, POR must focus on blocking shots effectively without committing unnecessary fouls; something they've shown capability of but need to do more consistently. Offensively, increasing assists could play a pivotal role in creating scoring opportunities especially considering how assists led to better offensive plays against Rockets.


The Verdict


Given past performances and current standings, it's reasonable to believe that if Portland Trail Blazers can tighten up defensively while finding rhythm offensively early on - particularly from three-point range - they stand a good chance against Dallas Mavericks.


However, it won't be easy given DAL's competitive edge but playing at home provides POR an advantage not just strategically but also morale-wise which could be pivotal in close quarters.


Fans should keep an eye on how well Trail Blazers manage ball possessions early on during gameplay as this could set tone for rest of match-up especially considering DAL’s aggressive defense strategies known league-wide.


The scheduled face-off between Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks is set for December 1st at Moda Center starting at 9:00 PM EDT. Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into KATU or KFAA networks for live coverage of what promises to be an electrifying basketball showdown.



Remember to share your thoughts online about how you think this crucial game will unfold!

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