Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
Where: American Airlines Center — Dallas, TX
When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 – 8:30 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers (-2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (+2); total: 206.0 – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (22-30)
The Blazers will be coming off a 105-99 loss to the Thunder, where they let Russell Westbrook score 42 points, and three other players – Victor Oladipo, Andre Roberson, and Steven Adams – grab 10 or more rebounds (one had nine).
Defending and rebounding has really been Portland’s main problem, as evidenced by ranking 26th overall in defensive efficiency, points allowed (109.8 PPG), and rebounds (45 RPG).
The defeat is Portland’s third L in four games, which can pretty much tell how the team’s season has been going. Through 52 games, they have three separate stretches where they are 1-3, four separate three-plus losing streaks, and one where they alternated wins and losses for eight consecutive games.
Much of it can be rooted on relying too much on Damian Lillard (25.9 PPG, 5.8 APG) and CJ McCollum (23.4 PPG), who despite being one of the best-scoring back courts in the league, shouldn’t be entrusted with that tough of a task on offense. The two are combining for 37.3 field goal attempts per game, which is just five short of tying what the entire Blazers rotation are taking.
The Blazers are 1-2 SU and ATS against the Mavericks this season. Their most recent meeting was just last Friday, where they only lost by four, 108-104, despite Lillard only going 4-for-20 from the field. McCollum and Evan Turner led the way, with 28 and 24 points, respectively.
Betting on the Dallas Mavericks (20-31)
The altitude in Colorado probably got the best of the Mavericks this past Monday night, as they fell to the Denver Nuggets, 110-87, and ended their four-game winning streak. It was their lowest point total in 14 games.
Despite that loss and mediocre play, they are well within reach of the eighth playoff spot in the West, thanks to going 9-4 in their last 13 contests (10-3 ATS).
Further, even though they are dead-last in scoring (97.6 PPG) and only 24th in offensive efficiency, the Mavs have a handful of players to rely on on any given night, as they have six active guys that are averaging double-digit points – Harrison Barnes (20.2 PPG), Wesley Matthews (15.3 PPG), Deron Williams (13.5 PPG), Dirk Nowitzki (12.8 PPG), Seth Curry (11.7 PPG), and new acquisition Yogi Ferrell (17.8 PPG).
Ferrell, who got inked to a two-year deal on Saturday due to his 32-point performance against the Blazers, which includes sinking nine three-pointers, is causing some excitement over Dallas fans. With JJ Barea projected to miss more time, expect the rookie to keep getting scoring opportunities moving forward.
Writer’s Prediction
The Mavs (+2) win, 106-102.
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