Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions January 9th 2025

Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers January 9th 2025

At 8:30 ET, the Dallas Mavericks (-288) will host the Portland Trail Blazers (+236) in a Western Conference matchup. The Mavericks are favored by 7.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 220.

This game will be played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and it can be seen on KATU.

Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks Key Information

The Trail Blazers improved to 13-23 on the season with a 119-100 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. Portland, who entered the game as +2 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread. The combined score of 219 points fell just short of the O/U line of 223.5.

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Portland took control early, outscoring New Orleans 40-24 in the 1st quarter and 35-18 in the 2nd. They led 98-76 going into the 4th, allowing them to withstand a late push from the Pelicans, who outscored them 24-21 in the final period.

Deni Avdija led the way for the Trail Blazers in their win over the Pelicans, scoring 26 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, while hitting 4 threes at 57.1% efficiency. Shaedon Sharpe also connected on 4 threes at the same percentage, finishing with 21 points, 13 of which came in the opening quarter.

Portland shot 54.5% from the field and made 13 threes at a 36.1% clip. Anfernee Simons contributed 17 points, and Toumani Camara added 15, with 6 points coming in the 3rd quarter.

Portland’s defense shined in the 2nd quarter, holding the Pelicans to just 18 points, and they gave up 24 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters. Even with a 34-point 3rd quarter, the Trail Blazers limited New Orleans to 100 points on 44% shooting.

From beyond the arc, the Pelicans hit 12 threes at a 32% rate. Portland sent New Orleans to the line 11 times, where they made 8 free throws. Defensively, the Trail Blazers recorded 11 steals and 7 blocks.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 107 points per game in this stretch.
• The last ten games that Portland was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 6-4 while going 4-6 straight up.
• Over their last three games, the Trail Blazers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 3-0 vs. the spread.

The Mavericks improved to 21-16 on the season with a 118-97 win over the Lakers on Tuesday. Dallas, who were +6.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread. The game’s total points of 215 fell just short of the 218-point line.

After trailing 27-24 after the 1st quarter, Dallas went on a 13-0 run, turning a 50-47 lead into 60-50. They outscored the Lakers 31-23 in the 2nd quarter, 34-26 in the 3rd, and 29-21 in the 4th.

The Mavericks shot 52.3% from the field and knocked down 18 threes at a 47.4% clip in their win over the Lakers. Quentin Grimes led the way with 6 made threes, finishing with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

P.J. Washington added 22 points, hitting all 3 of his attempts from deep, and Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 19 points and 8 assists. Jaden Hardy scored 11 of his 15 points in the 3rd quarter.

The Mavericks put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Lakers to just 97 points. Dallas gave up 27 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, allowing only 23 points. They allowed 26 points in the 3rd quarter and finished strong, giving up just 21 points in the 4th.

Dallas limited the Lakers to 11 made threes on 31% shooting from deep. The Mavericks also gave up 24 free throw attempts, with the Lakers making 18. On the boards, Dallas grabbed 33 defensive rebounds and allowed just 5 offensive boards. They also recorded 7 steals in the game.

The Trail Blazers come in as the underdog at +7.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 220 and given that our model is projecting 246 points between the teams, we like the over.

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Mavericks Lean on Quentin Grimes as Trail Blazers Visit Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks have struggled to adjust to life without star guard Luka Doncic, but Quentin Grimes has emerged as a beacon of hope during his absence. Grimes will look to continue his strong play on Thursday night when the Mavericks host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Grimes Steps Up

Doncic has been sidelined for seven games with a left calf strain, during which Dallas has posted a 2-5 record. However, Grimes has risen to the occasion, averaging 15.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in Doncic’s absence. His performance was on full display Tuesday in a 118-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, where Grimes led the team with 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists off the bench.

Grimes’ shooting has been particularly impactful, as he connected on 6 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc against Los Angeles and has shot 39.1 percent from deep over the past seven games.

“Luka’s going to be out for a little while, (Kyrie Irving)’s going to be out for a little while, so just holding it down as a team (is the goal),” Grimes said. “Having two superstars out, it definitely gives me more opportunity to be more aggressive with my shot and just making plays.”

Injury Concerns for Dallas

The Mavericks remain without Kyrie Irving, who has missed three straight games due to shoulder and back injuries as well as an illness. Doncic isn’t expected to return until late this month at the earliest, leaving Grimes and the supporting cast with a chance to step into bigger roles.

Trail Blazers Balance Their Attack

Portland enters the matchup fresh off a 119-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers showcased their balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring in double figures. Deni Avdija led the way with 26 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 21, and Anfernee Simons contributed 17.

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Reserve big man Robert Williams III provided defensive energy in 16 minutes, registering four blocks to go along with six rebounds. Williams’ return to the rotation after dealing with ankle issues could signal a shift in Portland’s interior defense, as coach Chauncey Billups hinted at more opportunities for the versatile center.

“He’s just a difference-maker,” Billups said of Williams. “His feel for the game, his instincts, and his IQ are at a high level.”

Portland may also benefit from the return of Donovan Clingan, who sat out against New Orleans but is expected to play Thursday.

Season Series

This will mark the fourth and final meeting between the Mavericks and Trail Blazers this season. Dallas won the first two encounters before Portland claimed a 126-122 victory on Dec. 28.

As the Mavericks look to climb back into playoff contention and the Trail Blazers aim to build on their recent success, Thursday’s game promises to be a competitive battle between two teams adjusting to life without their stars.