Portland Trail Blazers: Game-by-game picks and analysis of the schedule

Portland Trail Blazers: Game-for-game picks and analysis of the eight-game schedule

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 18: Jusuf Nurkic #27 (L) and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers have a conversation on the bench in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors during their game at Moda Center on December 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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Rodney Hood, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Game 3 vs. Dallas Mavericks

Score Prediction: Trail Blazers, 123; Mavericks, 118
Record Prediction: 32-37

Previous Matchups:
— Oct. 27 — Trail Blazers, 121; Mavericks, 119
— Jan. 17 — Mavericks, 120; Trail Blazers, 112
— Jan. 23 — Mavericks, 133; Trail Blazers, 125

There may not be a Portland Trail Blazers prediction that’s more difficult to pick. Three games into the season, the Blazers showed what they were capable of with Zach Collins in tow, when they overcame a 19-point deficit, and non-coincidentally, Collins had a +18 +/- line.

But then again, that embryonic Mavericks team in October is night-and-day compared to what they would soon become. From November on, they produced a 5.9 net rating, which ranks No. 6 among NBA teams.

The Blazers have had the upper hand, outscoring the Mavericks 108-80 in the paint, but they’ve given up 42 3-pointers over those two losses.

With Nurkic and Collins — two elite pick-and-roll defenders — in tow, that was neutralized in 2018-19, even though the Mavericks didn’t have Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 32 points in that first meeting.

It feels like a toss-up. But we’ve seen the Blazers at somewhat “full” health beat the Mavericks, in a game where they scored just 22 bench points, didn’t have Anthony, and didn’t play Trent Jr., or Nassir Little. Call this a “bang-bang” win, because it’s close.