Mavericks Face Trail Blazers in Decisive Road Battle on December 1, 2024
On December 1, 2024, the Dallas Mavericks will take on the Portland Trail Blazers in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. This game is the second of a two-game road trip for Dallas, who is coming off a solid victory against the Utah Jazz. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have shown resilience despite a challenging season, sitting at 8-12 so far. With key injuries affecting both teams, the game will be a test of depth and adaptability.
Portland enters the game with a lineup that will look different from previous matchups. The Blazers will start Anfernee Simons at point guard, a player who has been solid this season, averaging 16.7 points per game despite some inconsistencies in his shooting, including a 39.4% field goal percentage and 32% from beyond the arc. Shaedon Sharpe, the team's leading scorer at 17.7 points per game, will be at shooting guard. However, Sharpe has struggled with his three-point shooting, hitting only 29% of his attempts from deep. The Blazers as a team have also struggled from the three-point line, shooting just 32.8% collectively this season, which is far below the league average.
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At small forward, Toumani Camara has been one of the more reliable shooters, hitting 36.6% of his three-pointers. Despite this, his scoring average is just 9.1 points per game, and Portland will need him to step up if they want to keep pace with the high-scoring Mavericks. Jerami Grant, who has been a crucial offensive weapon for Portland, will play through a knee sprain. Grant is averaging 16.1 points per game, shooting 34.8% from three-point range, and will likely be tasked with defending one of Dallas’s top players. With a significant injury report and a lack of depth, Grant’s performance will be critical for Portland’s success.
In the paint, DeAndre Ayton will anchor the center position. Ayton, the team’s leading rebounder at 10.5 boards per game, has been a steady presence for Portland, though his shooting efficiency at 53.8% from the field has been somewhat underwhelming for a player of his stature. Ayton’s battle with Dallas’s big men, including their center Daniel Gafford, will be pivotal in determining the outcome.
Dallas, meanwhile, will have to contend with its own injury issues, as they are without Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, and Dereck Lively II. Despite these absences, the Mavericks will have Luka Dončić back in the lineup after missing five games due to a wrist strain. Dončić, one of the NBA’s brightest stars, will look to carry the team on his shoulders as they navigate the game without several key players. Players like Jaden Hardy and Quentin Grimes will need to step up in the absence of the injured stars, and the Mavericks will rely heavily on their deep offensive arsenal to get past Portland.
Overall, this game presents a battle of reserves, with both teams struggling to field their strongest lineups. Dallas will be looking to maintain momentum and keep pace in the standings, while Portland hopes to build on their recent upset win over the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Cup. With injuries on both sides, it’s going to be a close contest, but expect Dončić’s return to be the difference-maker for the Mavericks as they look to secure an important win on the road.
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