2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game #6
#3 Dallas Mavericks at #6 Portland Trail Blazers (DAL leads series 3-2) Best of Seven Series Format, 2-2-1-1-1
Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon
Thursday, April 28, 2011, 10:35 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Blazers -4
Current Line: Blazers -4 1/2
Opening Total: 182
Current Total: 182
Money Line: Blazers -200 / Mavericks +170
Many people wondered how the Mavericks would respond after a disastrous game 4 4th quarter where the Mavericks were up by 18 and ended up losing 84-82. Many thought Portland took all the momentum and might be able to steal game 5 from a shell shocked Mavericks team. The Mavericks won game 5 in Dallas Monday night 93-82 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. Now, Dallas has a chance to close out the Blazers in Portland for game 6. However it won’t be easy as these two teams have played 9 times this season and the home team has won every game.
Andre Miller led the Blazers in scoring in game 5 with 18 points and 7 assists. Gerald Wallace had 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. LaMarcus Aldridge had 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Nicolas Batum added 12 points off the bench. After a sensational game 4 in which Brandon Roy scored 24 points, including 18 in the fourth, Roy only scored 5 points in game 5. The Blazers shot 43% from the field including 4 out of 16 from 3 point range. Portland made 14 out of 19 free throw attempts. Portland had 37 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 turnovers in the game.
Dirk Nowitzki has been nearly unstoppable in this series especially at home, averaging 26 points a game in the playoffs. Monday night he had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Jason Terry added 20 points off the bench. Tyson Chandler had 14 points and an impressive 20 rebounds, including 13 offensive rebounds. Shawn Marion had 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Jason Kidd only had 4 points but had 14 assists. Dallas shot 41% from the field including 3 for 17 from 3-point range. They missed 9 free throws out of 35 attempts. The Mavericks had 49 rebounds, 22 assists, and 12 turnovers.
Since the 2006 Finals where Dallas won the first 2 games before Miami won 4 straight to win the title, the Mavericks are 2-18 straight up in road playoff games. Dallas is 18-46 all time in Portland, including 1-8 in the playoffs. Portland has never overcome a 3-2 series deficit in their history. Dallas is 9-7 in the last 3 years straight up versus Portland, but 10-6 ATS in those games. Portland is 91-69 as a favorite the last 3 seasons. Dallas is 49-36 ATS in all games this season, including 27-16 on the road, 16-6 after a win of 10 or more points, and 29-16 against teams with winning records this season.
Dallas forward Caron Butler, and guards Rodrique Beaubois & Dominque Jones are all out indefinitely with injuries. Portland guard Elliott Williams and Greg Oden are both out for the season but haven’t played at all this season.
The main reason Portland lost game 5 was because of the rebounding differential especially on the offensive glass. Dallas didn’t shoot very well but got so many second chance opportunities that they were able to overcome that. Tyson Chandler got 13 offensive rebounds by himself. That can’t happen if Portland wants to force a game 7. Dallas has not won in Portland this year. I think the Blazers force a game 7 Saturday night.
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