The Portland Trail Blazers are struggling in the current NBA season, positioned at 13th in the Western Conference with a disappointing 10-20 record. Despite their challenges, the Blazers have a glimmer of hope for a playoff push, as they are only five games away from the Play-In tournament with 52 games remaining in the season. Recently, they managed to secure a close victory against the Utah Jazz, winning 122-120, which could signal a turning point as they prepare to face a formidable opponent in the Dallas Mavericks.
Portland may have an unexpected advantage in their upcoming match against Dallas, as the Mavericks will be missing five players, including their star point guard Luka Doncic. Doncic, a formidable force in the league and a five-time NBA All-Star, is sidelined for at least a month due to a left calf strain, which could significantly impact the Mavericks' performance. This season, Doncic has been averaging an impressive 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, making his absence a critical loss for Dallas.
In addition to Doncic, the Mavericks will also be without center Dereck Lively II, who is dealing with a left hip contusion, and point guard Dante Exum, who is recovering from wrist surgery. Furthermore, the team will face suspensions for small forward Naji Marshall and power forward PJ Washington due to an on-court altercation, further depleting their roster. This situation presents a prime opportunity for the Trail Blazers to capitalize and potentially shift the momentum of their season.
