Dec. 1 - Mavericks at Blazers, 7 p.m.

[DiamondThief]

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers

What: The Mavericks make the first of two appearances in Portland the face the Blazers.
When: Tuesday, December 1 at 7 p.m. (PT).
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter; Portland, Oregon.
Mavericks Media: TV - FSSW. Radio - 103.3 ESPN
Blazers Media: TV - CSNNW. Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
National Media: NBAtv.
Fact: Former Blazers guard Wesley Matthews makes his first appearance in Rip City since signing with the Mavericks as a free agent last summer.
Forum: To comment, please login or register.

The Mavericks come into the game with a mark of 10-8 (5-6 on the road).. The are coming off a 112-98 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 30. The Blazers, are 7-11 (4-4 at home). They are coming off a 107-92 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 30. Both teams are on the second night of back-to-backs. 

ALSO THIS SEASON
March 20 - Blazers at Mavericks.
March 23 - Mavericks at Blazers.

HELPFUL LINKS
Blazers 2015-16 Schedule
Blazers 2015-16 Season Preview


DALLAS MAVERICKS


Wesley Matthews (photo courtesy USA Today)


ROSTER

Guards
1 - Justin Anderson, 6'6"
2 - Raymond Felton, 6'3"
5 - J.J. Barea, 5'11"
8 - Deron Williams, 6'3"
12 - John Jenkins, 6'4"
23 - Wesley Matthews, 6'5"
34 - Devin Harris, 6'3"

Forwards
3 - Charlie Villanueva, 6'11"
7 - Dwight Powell, 6'11"
21 - Jeremy Evans, 6'9"
25 - Chandler Parsons, 6'9"
41 - Dirk Nowitzki, 7'0"

Center
11 - JaVale McGee, 7'0"
27 - Zaza Pachulia, 6'11"
50 - Sala Mejri, 7'1"

INJURY REPORT
J.J. Barea (angle) - out

HEAD COACH
Rick Carlisle

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - Nowitzki 16.9
Reb - Pachula 9.6
Ast - Williams 5.6
Stl - Williams 1.5
Blk - Powell 0.8

Italics denote projected starters


PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS


CJ McCollum (photo courtesy nba.com)


ROSTER

Guards
0 - Damian Lillard, 6'3"
3 - CJ McCollum, 6'4"
5 - Pat Connaughton, 6'5"
9 - Gerald Henderson, 6'5"
10 - Tim Frazier, 6'1"
44 - Luis Montero, 6'7"

Forwards
4 - Maurice Harkless, 6'9"
8 - Al-Farouq Aminu, 6'9"
17 - Ed Davis, 6'10"
21 - Noah Vonleh, 6'10"
23 - Allen Crabbe, 6'6"
34 - Cliff Alexander, 6'8"

Centers
11 - Meyers Leonard, 7'1"
24 - Mason Plumlee, 6'11"
35 - Chris Kaman, 7'0"

INJURY REPORT
Damian Lillard (illness) - probable
Chris Kaman (ankle) - questionable

HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - Lillard 24.3
Reb - Plumlee 8.6
Ast - Lillard 6.8
Stl - Plumlee 1.2
Blk - Plumlee 1.1

italics denote projected starters


ANGI'S TAKES

MAVERICKS
The big story in this game will be Wesley Matthews' return to Portland after playing five seasons for the Blazers Matthews, who agreed to a deal with the Mavericks on July 2, is averaging just over 11 points in 29.5 minutes this season. Dirk Nowitzki is battling Father Time, but is still effective. Daron Williams has been a bright spot for the team at the point. Zaza Pachulia is solid in the middle, getting the first chance to see meaningful starters minutes in his career.The Mavericks are a deep team, as well as a guard-heavy team, with five of the seven guards on their roster having started at least one of their first 18 games. Chandler Parsons, Dwight Powell and Charlie Villanueva could be players to watch. Key to a Los Angeles win: Utilize their experience to get the Blazers into early foul trouble.

BLAZERS
The question for Portland in this game is whether Damian Lillard will miss his first career game due to illness. He scored a season-low 7 points last night and barely played in the fourth quarter. If he cannot make a go of it in this game, much of the onus will fall to CJ McCollum, who has filled Matthews' departed shoes admirably. Either way, the Blazers will need a big night from McCollum if they are to win this. Mason Plumlee and Ed Davis have been rebounding monsters for the Blazers with each recording a double-double against the Clippers last night. Maurice Harkless had a terrific game in the loss, and the Blazers will need he, Allen Crabbe or Meyers Leonard to step up; preferably a combination of them all. Key to a Portland win: Energy; run the Mavericks out of the arena.

MATCHUP TO WATCH
Wesley Matthews vs. CJ McCollum.


FEATURED TWEETS

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[Yeseeka]

Let's go Blazers. Let's spoil Matthews' return!

[Kasey]

am i the only one who remembers that Wesley announced his decision to leave two days earlier than LaMarcus? so much for they and Fropez's future being tied together. Wesley left for the money; money the Blazers cold have afforded to pay him.

[DiamondThief]

Dec 1, 2015 18:54:08 GMT -8 Kasey said:

am i the only one who remembers that Wesley announced his decision to leave two days earlier than LaMarcus? so much for they and Fropez's future being tied together. Wesley left for the money; money the Blazers cold have afforded to pay him.

We have talked about this before. Amazing that no one else seems to notice.

[Nevadanut]

Go Blazers!

[DiamondThief]

As expected, a huge ovation for Matthews.

[DiamondThief]

Matthews wil start at small forward, which means he will be guarded by Aminu, and probably will have to guard Aminu. Raymond Felton will start for Dallas. Could be easy to guard for Lillard.

[DiamondThief]

Parsons is out for Dallas.

[Kasey]

Is that a doughnut in Felton's hand?!

[Nevadanut]

Lillard three!

[Kasey]

LILLLLLLLLLARD!

[Kasey]

we just don't make shots.

[Kasey]

game. we're just not even trying to win this.

[Nevadanut]

CJ jumper!

[Kasey]

MEYERS!!!!!

[Nevadanut]

Meyers three!

[Kasey]

CRABBBBBBBBE!

[DiamondThief]

CJ needs to stop dribbling so much.

[Kasey]

this is not a clear path. lol

[Nevadanut]

Crabbe three!