NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from Portland Trail Blazers' win over Dallas Mavericks

Portland Trail Blazers held off the Dallas Mavericks in overtime
Portland Trail Blazers held off the Dallas Mavericks in overtime

Final Score: Portland Trail Blazers defeated Dallas Mavericks 121-118

The Dallas Mavericks were on a five-game losing streak and were in Portland to take on Blazers in the final game of the four-game road trip. After losing by as many as 30 points at home against the Utah Jazz, the Blazers were looking to end their three-game homestand with a win, before they go on a two-game road trip.

This was a back-and-forth contest that went into overtime, thanks to the buzzer-beating three-pointer from the Rookie of the Year frontrunner Luka Doncic. Blazers managed to eke out a 121-118 win in overtime.

Harrison Barnes led the Mavericks' scoring with 27 points on 11-for-20 shooting. For the Blazers, it was Lillard who scored a game-high 33 points. The two teams will next meet in February 2019 for a regular season matchup in Dallas.

Let us take a look at three of the talking points from this exciting contest in Portland.


#3 Two Blazers' players scored in double-digits

Seth Curry scored 12 points off the bench for the Blazers
Seth Curry scored 12 points off the bench for the Blazers

Seth Curry has been impressive so far for the Blazers and has proved himself in whatever little opportunities he was provided with. Against the Mavericks, he had one of the best games of this season as he scored 12 points coming off the bench and provided much-needed spark for the team.

In his sixth season in the NBA, Meyers Leonard is still trying to make an impact in the league and is still being used as a scoring option off the bench. Last night, he scored 13 points coming off the bench and led the Blazers' bench scoring. He also had 6 rebounds on the night. This was Leonard's sixth game this season scoring in double-digits.

#2 Luka Doncic ROTY confirmed?

Luka Doncic has been sensational so far this season
Luka Doncic has been sensational so far this season

Stat line: 23 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists on 33.3 % shooting

The NBA needs to give the Rookie of the Year trophy to Luka Doncic already. The Slovenian has been sensational so far this season and is hands down the ROTY if the awards are to be handed out today.

The rookie continues to amaze the NBA crowd with his stepback three-pointers and other wide variety of shots. Against the Blazers, Doncic struggled from the field but did everything else to compensate for his bad shooting and made his presence felt.

He also made an unreal three-pointer to beat the buzzer in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime. Doncic finished the night with 23 points and 11 rebounds to register a double-double. It is safe to say that the Doncic-Lillard matchup lived up to the hype.

#1 Damian Lillard's third quarter heroics

Damian Lillard had game-high 33 points against the Mavericks
Damian Lillard had game-high 33 points against the Mavericks

Stat line: 33 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists and a block on 45.8 % shooting

Damian Lillard's show continues in the NBA as the 28-year-old keeps posting big numbers on regular basis. After scoring 19 points in the loss against the Utah Jazz, Lillard was back to his usual self as he scored 33 points on 11-for-24 shooting to lead the Blazers home in overtime.

Lillard started the game hot and scored 9 points in the first quarter before following it up with 6 points in the second quarter to tally 15 points at halftime. He went off in the third quarter and had 12 points but the Mavericks clinched the quarter, 27-25.

He made some key plays in the overtime and led the Blazers to a three-point victory. The point guard is currently averaging career-high in points with 27.1 ppg this season.

youtube-cover

Quick Links

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee