NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals
#3 Dallas Mavericks vs #6 Portland Trail Blazers
Best of Seven Series, Format 2-2-1-1-1
Saturday, April 16-Saturday, April 30, 2011
Odds to Win the Series: DAL -195 / POR +165 (courtesy of bookmaker)
Game #1 Opening Line: DAL -5 1/2
Game #1 Current Line: DAL -5
Game #1 Opening Total: 187
Game #1 Current Total: 186
Game #1 Money Line: DAL -210 / POR +180
Series Schedule
Game #1, at Dallas, American Airlines Center, Saturday, April 16, 2011, 9:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Game #2, at Dallas, Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 9:30 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Game #3, at Portland, Rose Garden, Thursday, April 21, 2011, 10:30 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Game #4, at Portland, Saturday, April 23, 2011, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Game #5, (if necessary), at Dallas, Monday, April 25, 2011, Time and television TBA
Game #6, (if necessary), at Portland, Thursday, April 28, 2011, Time and television TBA
Game #7, (if necessary), at Dallas, Saturday, April 30, 2011, Time and television TBA
Dallas and Portland played each other 4times in the regular season. The two teams split the series at 2 games apiece, each winning both game on their own home court. All games were decided by 8 points or less. The two teams just played earlier this month in Portland and Portland won 104-96. That means this Western Conference quarterfinal series should be hard fought and will probably be a long series. The Mavericks finished 57-25 tied with the Lakers 4 games behind the Spurs for best record in the East. Portland was 48-34 on the season and is the sixth seed in the West.
The Mavericks have been streaky since March 20, where they won 5 in row, then lost 4 in a row and closed the season on a 4 game winning streak. Dallas has been playing without forward Caron Butler since early January who is out with a knee injury. Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle said it is extremely unlikely Butler will return for this round, but could return if the Mavericks advance further in the playoffs. Forward Peja Stojakovic is probable for Saturday’s game #1 with a personal issue. Guard Rodrique Beaubois is listed as questionable for game #1 with a foot injury.
The Blazers went 11-5 down the stretch. Portland has been playing all season without centers Greg Oden and Fabricio Oberto along with guard Elliot Williams.
In the last 3 seasons Dallas is 6-5 straight up against Portland, but the Blazers are 6-5 ATS in those games. The two teams played a memorable 7 game series in round 1 several years ago, where Dallas won the first 3 games but then Portland forced a game 7 and Dallas ended up winning that game. Dallas is 44-36 ATS in all games this season, including 22-10 after 3 or more consecutive wins. Dallas is 31-50 ATS at home the last 2 seasons. Portland is 89-74 ATS in all games the last 2 seasons.
The Blazers have 6 players averaging double figure scoring, led by power forward LaMarcus Aldridge with 21.8 points a game. He also averages 8.8 rebounds. Guard Wesley Matthews averages 15.9 points. Small forward Gerald Wallace averages 15.8 points and leads the team in steals with 2 a game since being acquired from the Bobcats earlier this season. Point guard Andre Miller averages 12.7 points and leads the team in assists with 7 a game. Brandon Roy missed significant time with a knee injury this season and is trying to get back to his all-star form. He is averaging 12.2 points a game. Nicholas Batum averages 12.4 points a game. Marcus Camby leads the team in rebounds with 10.3 a game and blocks with 1.6 a game. The Blazers are outscoring opponents 96-95 on the season. The Blazers rank 24th in points scored and 7th in points allowed in the league. Portland is shooting 44.7% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range. Blazer opponents are shooting 46.7% from the field. The Blazers make 80.4% of their free throws. They average 39.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -0.4. The Blazers are ranked #27 in the league in rebounding. They average 21.2 assists and 13 turnovers a game. Portland is ranked #16 in the league in assists. Portland forces 15.7 turnovers a game on defense. The Blazers force 8 steals and 4.4 blocks a game.
The Mavericks are led by future Hall-of-Famer Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk averages 23 points and 7 rebounds a game. Three other Mavericks besides Butler and Nowitzki score in double figures. Jason Terry averages 15.8 points a game. Shawn Marion averages 12.5 points a game. Center Tyson Chandler averages 10.1 points. He also leads the team in rebounds with 9.4 a game and blocks with 1.1 a game. Jason Kidd leads the Mavericks in assists with 8.2 a game and steals with 1.7 a game. The Mavs are outscoring opponents 100-96 this season. Dallas is 11th in points scored and 10th in points allowed. Dallas shoots 47.5% from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range. Maverick opponents are shooting 45% from the field. Dallas makes 77.7% of their free throws. The Mavericks average 41.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +0.7. They are 14th in the league in rebounds. The Mavericks average 23.8 assists and 14 turnovers a game. The Mavs are 2nd in the league in assists. Dallas forces 13.6 turnovers a game on defense. The Mavs average 6.8 steals and 4.3 blocks a game.
Many experts say the Mavericks are ripe for an upset. I tend to agree. The Mavericks have slumped a little and aren’t nearly as dominant without Butler. Portland has a good mixture of veterans and youth and has been to the playoffs for several years in a row. They won’t be intimidated by Dallas, and this series will probably go the distance.
SERIES PICK BLAZERS IN SEVEN (+165 AT BOOKMAKER)
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