Blazers' Frontcourt Shines Despite Loss to Mavericks

Sometimes, it's all about focusing on the positives.

 The Portland Trail Blazers gave the Dallas Mavericks an early Christmas gift on Monday night, falling 132-108 in a game where they didn’t compete past halftime. This loss marked Portland’s second consecutive blowout defeat in Texas, which has been a common theme this season.

Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Deni Avdija led Portland with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Here are a few key takeaways from the game; 

Lane Help Early

The Blazers showed some defensive promise early on, particularly in helping each other in the lane. Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan provided solid backcourt defense, with the Blazers sending extra bodies into the paint on Dallas penetration. This helped deter some of the Mavericks' attempts, with Avdija and Scoot Henderson being particularly active. However, this defensive effort faded as the game went on, and the Mavericks ended up with 64 points in the paint. Daniel Gafford’s perfect shooting night (7-7) for 23 points exposed Portland's weak center defense.

Turnovers

Portland was down by 9 at halftime (62-53), but turnovers in the third quarter allowed the Mavericks to blow the game wide open with a 40-23 run. The Blazers finished the game with 19 turnovers, which doomed any potential comeback.

Scoot’s Confidence

Despite facing off against the NBA's top point guards, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Scoot Henderson showed confidence, attacking them without hesitation. He scored 7 points in the first quarter and finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 turnovers. While it wasn’t a standout performance, Scoot’s fearless play is a positive sign for the Blazers.

Deni Bounces Back

After a tough game against the Spurs, Deni Avdija bounced back with 19 points on 6-11 shooting, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was effective in running the offense, keeping defenders on their toes by either scoring or passing well. Avdija’s ability to stretch the floor with his shooting helped make the Blazers’ offense flow more smoothly.

Deandre Ayton

Despite mixed opinions from Blazers fans, Deandre Ayton showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the first half. His midrange shooting was on point, making him a dangerous offensive weapon. Ayton finished with 16 points on 8-11 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Rebounds

In a rare bright spot during the blowout, the Blazers grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. Ayton, Avdija, and Toumani Camara each contributed 4 offensive boards. While it wasn’t enough to turn the tide, it’s a positive takeaway for Portland.

Up Next

The Blazers will return to action after Christmas, facing the Utah Jazz on Thursday, December 26th, at 7:00 PM Pacific.