Portland at Dallas
Time: 8:30 PM CST (ESPN)
Spread: DAL -7.5
Total: 228.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The Portland Trail Blazers are struggling and entering Dallas only looks to be likely further frustration. The Blazers are 7.5-point underdogs with the over/under set at 228.5 points according to NBA oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes. The game will air at 8:30 as the second game in an ESPN Friday night doubleheader.
PORTLAND news & notes:
Portland has won just four of its last 10 overall, and at 18-24 it trails the No.8 seeded Memphis Grizzlies by 1.5 games for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.
Carmelo Anthony has been the headliner for news in Portland, and the free-agent acquisition seems to be nothing but good for the Blazers’ rotation. Melo is averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 32 minutes a night through his first 23 games (all of which he has started). It has pushed Mario Hezonja back out of the starting lineup, where he was having his struggles. The Blazers also seemed to legitimately have added a true No. 3 option behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who combine to average 48.8 points and 11.4 assists per game in the backcourt.
The Blazers are arguably a better team on paper this year than last, but injuries have prevented it all from fully translating. Hassan Whiteside is something of an upgrade over the injured Jusef Nurkic, but losing Zach Collins to injury was a bit of a blow to a team thin on frontcourt depth. Rodney Hood has been a pleasant surprise as a second-unit scorer, though, with his 50.6 percent shooting and 11 points per game. The Blazers simply need a healthy roster before it can build the chemistry and momentum that it really should.
Portland ATS Trends
Trail Blazers are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Trail Blazers are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest.
Trail Blazers are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Trail Blazers are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Trail Blazers are 3-10-2 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Trail Blazers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog.
Trail Blazers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Trail Blazers are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
DALLAS news & notes:
The Dallas Mavericks have won five of its last 10 overall SU and its last three overall.
Luka Doncic has gone atomic since returning from injury, but it came with the nasty fact that the other star, Kristaps Porzingis, is now out with right knee soreness.
With Doncic out, the Mavericks got a good look at Kristaps Porzingis, who turned in another strong game in the Mavs’ loss to Boston. He tallied 23 points on 8 of 19 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal but is out for an indefinite period now.
On the season Porzingis is averaging 17.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but all suggestions are that he was able to greatly increase his usage percentage with Doncic unavailable. The Mavericks need to get another guy to step up, because Doncic left a 29.3 point, 8.9 assist hole when he sprained his ankle. While he is expected to make a full recovery and is already back in triple-double form (!), the Mavs are still in overhaul replacing his production. Although the Doncic-Porzingis punch is a strong one, the Mavericks still seem to be lacking a “third star” to complete the picture.
Dallas ATS Trends
Mavericks are 10-3-2 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Mavericks are 2-5-2 ATS in their last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Mavericks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite.
Mavericks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Mavericks are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win.
Mavericks are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
