Portland Events, Music, Art, Entertainment, Sustainability | PDXPIPELINE.com

By Andy Popp
GAME 26: Blazers @ Dallas Mavericks
December 15, 6:30PM; ESPN
Related: Trail Blazers Games, Schedule, and WIN Tickets

——————————————

Another day, another tough game for the Blazers. Tonight they're up against the Dallas Mavericks, a team that just had it's 12 game winning streak snapped by the Milwaukee Bucks. Which means the Mavericks will not be overlooking the Blazers. Not. One. Bit.

The Mavericks' strength, aside from having a seven footer than can score from everywhere, is their depth. They go 9 deep, and have size, scoring and experience off the bench. All this spells disaster for the Blazers.

The Mavericks on paper.
Starting five: Caron Butler, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson
Off the bench: Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Brendan Haywood, Jose Juan Barea

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
The cool new thing to do? Wonder if Brandon Roy should be coming off the bench.
Deron Williams on this Mavericks team: “This is the best Mavs team I've seen since I've been in the NBA,” Williams said. “Across the board they have so much talent and depth. But, they're just playing a lot better defensively. This is by far their best defensive team we've seen from them. Coach [Rick] Carlisle is doing a great job offensively. You know you're going to score points, but they're getting stops and making plays when they need to.”

STRATEGY
Expect the Mavericks to be on the warpath tonight after losing to the Milwaukee Bucks at home Monday night. The Blazers are going to have to play a near perfect game to have a chance. That means solid bench production, no turnovers, a high number of assists and controlling the glass.

LET'S GET RICH
To date: 10-9-1.
Blazers +7. I'll take the Mavs -7.

TRADE ME
Rudy Fernandez

NUMBER OF BACK TO BACKS THIS SEASON (IN SETS)
7

NEXT 5
vs Minnesota
vs Golden State
vs Milwaukee
@ Golden State
@ Utah

BOTTOM LINE
The Blazers are back below the .500 mark, and that's where they're going to be until they start winning games against quality opponents.