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.