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Trail Blazers 108, Mavericks 87
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
PORTLAND — Forward LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazer rolled to a 108-87 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at the Moda Center.
Guard Damian Lillard contributed 18 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Trail Blazers (3-2), who trailed 50-46 at halftime but outscored the Mavericks (3-2) 35-18 in the third quarter.
Aldridge sat out the entire fourth quarter as the Blazers breezed to their most one-sided win of the young season.
Forward Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 17 points, but managed only two points in the second half.
The Mavericks entered the game leading the NBA in scoring (111.8) and field-goal percentage (.524). They scored nearly 25 points under their average and shot a season-low .367.
Nowitzki scored 12 points in the second quarter to stake the Mavericks to a 50-46 edge at intermission. Aldridge kept the Blazers in it with 14 points and Kaman came off the bench for eight points on 4-for-4 shooting.
Portland seized control with a 19-5 burst at the onset of the third quarter to go in front 65-55. Soon it was 71-59, with Aldridge and guard Wesley Matthews doing much of the damage. Dallas scored seven in a row to close the gap to 71-66, but the Blazers answered with a 10-0 streak for an 81-66 lead late in the period.
When Portland increased the margin to 88-70 early in the fourth quarter, the issue was all but decided.
Aldridge had half of Portland’s first-quarter points, knocking down 5 of 7 shots for 10 points. But the Mavericks shut down his teammates, taking a 24-20 lead after one quarter.
But the Blazers came out of the gates smoking in the second period, using an 8-0 run to go ahead 28-24. Dallas responded with a 16-6 spurt to back on top 40-34. The Mavericks took it from there to enter halftime with a four-point advantage.
NOTES: Something had to give Thursday night. Dallas came in No. 1 in the NBA in scoring (111.8 points per game) and shooting (.524). Portland ranked second in opponents’ field-goal percentage (.409) and third in opponents’ scoring (92.3). “We’ve done a lot of things well so far, but we need to continue on that level,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. … Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said, “We’ve been moving it pretty well and for the most part keeping turnovers down. Those things help. But we have to play better defensively. It’s been a struggle for us.” … Dallas F Chandler Parsons, signed as a free agent in the offseason, was averaging 18.8 points while shooting .500 from the field and .444 from 3-point range. “Chandler is a terrific all-around player,” Carlisle said. “He plays all phases of the game. He helps a lot.” … Portland F Joel Freeland, who has missed the last two games with a foot injury, suited up Thursday night.
