----- Damian Lillard scores 34 points, but it's not enough as the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-112 Friday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Luke Doncic is a legit MVP candidate.
Doncic finished with 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists as the Dallas Mavericks bucked the Portland Trail Blazers 120-112 Friday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 29 points and Seth Curry added 16 points off the bench.
Damian Lillard led Portland (18-25) with 34 points and 10 assists, Hassan Whiteside finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks, and Carmelo Anthony 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting.
The Mavericks controlled the game from the three-point line connecting on 20 of their 47 shots from beyond the arc while the Blazers made just 9 of their 30 shots from downtown. Hardaway Jr. and Doncic were a combined 13-of-20 from three-point range.
The Blazers opened the game on a 14-3 run making six of their first eight shots, but the Mavericks responded with a 26-14 run taking a 38-37 lead into the second quarter.
Dallas pushed their lead to 17 points with 4:57 left in the third quarter on a Seth Curry three-pointer, but Portland closed the period on a 17-8 run cutting the deficit to 98-89.
Portland got as close as four points twice in the fourth quarter, but Dallas had an answer for each run to put the game away.
Notes- CJ McCollum left the game in the second quarter after he turned his left ankle and did not return. His status for tomorrow night's game at OKC is unknown at this time. Kristaps Porzingis missed his 10th consecutive game for the Mavericks because of right knee soreness.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will play the second of a back-to-back tomorrow night at Oklahoma City against the Thunder. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Luka Doncic is my first half MVP..