The Mavericks have a great chance over the next 13 days to climb up the Western Conference ladder.
During that nearly two-week span, the Mavs will play seven games. And all seven games will be played at American Airlines Center.
It’s the longest home stand of the season for the Mavs, who own a 19-15 overall record following Monday’s 127-90 loss in Utah. The home stand opens with games Wednesday and Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, and continues with games Sunday against Minnesota and Tuesday against Memphis.
The Mavs will also host the New York Knicks on Jan. 11, and will complete the home stand with a pair of games against the New Orleans Pelicans – on Jan. 13 and Jan. 15. The home stand also affords the Mavs an opportunity to improve their record at home, which stands at 8-7.
Currently seated seventh out West, Dallas opened the season with a 4-1 record in their first five home games. But the Mavs have since gone 4-6 at home.
However, with this seven-game home stand on the table, the Mavs are hoping to protect their home turf while also climb up the Western Conference ladder.
*Mavs forward Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) is out Wednesday, while guard Dante Exum (right heel contusion) is listed as doubtful. For Portland, center DeAndre Ayton (right knee) is out and guard Anfernee Simons (illness) is questionable.
*This is the second of a seven-game road trip for the Blazers. The trip started Monday with a 109-88 loss in Phoenix. In addition to playing two games in Dallas on Wednesday and Friday, the Blazers will play in Brooklyn on Sunday against the Nets, and in New York on Tuesday against the Knicks. Portland also will play in Oklahoma City on Jan. 11 and in Minnesota on Jan. 12.
*The Mavs are 3-3 in their last six games. Luka Dončić finished with 39 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists during a 144-119 victory in San Antonio on Dec. 23, and Dante Exum added 20 points and seven boards. Dončić collected 50 points, six rebounds, 15 assists, four steals and three blocks in a 128-114 win over Phoenix on Dec. 25. Dončić also contributed 39 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists during this past Saturday’s 132-122 win over Golden State.
*The Blazers are 2-2 in their last four games. Portland defeated Sacramento, 130-113, on Dec. 26 behind 29 points from Anfernee Simon and 25 points and nine rebounds off the bench from Duop Reath. The Blazers also defeated San Antonio last Friday, 134-128. In that game, four Blazers scored at least 20 points – Jerami Grant (27 points), Malcolm Brogdon (27 points), Jabari Walker (25 points) and Scoot Henderson (22 points).
*Mavs forward Tim Hardaway Jr. leads the NBA in charges taken with 19. That’s one more than former Mavs guard Jalen Brunson, who now plays for the New York Knicks.
*The Mavs are 83-90 all-time against the Blazers, including 53-34 during games played in Dallas. The Mavs are 2-0 against Portland this season. Dallas won in Portland, 125-112, on Dec. 8 behind 32 points, six rebounds and 10 assists from Luka Dončić, and 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists from Dante Exum. The Mavs also won in Portland, 131-120, on Dec. 16 behind 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists from Dončić, and 25 points and six rebounds from Tim Hardaway Jr.
*Mavs guard Kyrie Irving missed 12 games with a right heel contusion suffered in the Dec. 8 game against Portland, then returned Monday and finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes against the Utah Jazz.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (9-23) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (19-15)
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: BSSW
Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)
X: @DwainPrice
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