Trail Blazers no match for Nowtizki, Mavericks in 97-94 loss
As anyone could imagine, the Portland Trail Blazers (28-32) who are more than likely looking forward to the end of the season faced the reigning champions Dallas Mavericks (34-26) who came into the Rose Garden seeking revenge after LaMarcus Aldridge secured a Blazer victory last week with a jumper at the end of overtime. With Aldridge out for the rest of the season with a hip injury, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs faced little problem throughout the game and managed to contend with a 20-point lead. Portland would rally somewhat during the fourth quarter but it was too little, too late.
It would be Nicolas Batum who took much of the scoring and finished with a team high 20 Pts, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk on 7-12 shooting and 3-7 from downtown.
Jamal Crawford came off the bench as Wesley Matthews was placed into the starting lineup and scored 18 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl on 6-17 shooting and did what JC always does, shoot deep threes that bounce off the end of the rim.
Wesley Matthews collected 15 Pts, 7 Reb, 4 Ast and struggled 1-4 from downtown.
J.J. Hickson only scored 13 Pts but grabbed 10 Reb. Raymond Felton followed closely with 12 Pts and just 4 Ast.
Nicholas Filipas