FRIDAY APRIL 9, 2010 – Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trailblazers
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strong>Friday NBA odds: Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trailblazers
Team records:
Dallas: 51-27 SU, 32-44-2 ATS
Portland: 48-30 SU, 43-33-2 ATS
If the NBA playoffs started today, the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trailblazers would play each other in the first round. We’ll get a sneak peak Friday night when those teams go head-to-head on NBA odds. Portland is a four-point favorite at the sportsbook.
Matchup: Mavericks at Trailblazers
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Rose Garden
Spread: Portland -4
Over/Under: 192
Dallas (51-27, 32-44-2 ATS) beat Memphis 110-84 on Wednesday evening to erase a two-game losing streak. The Mavericks have been a little shaky recently after winning just five of their past 10 games. Their results have been just as troubling at the sportsbook; the Mavs are 4-5-1 in their past 10 outings on NBA odds, though they have covered four of their past six against the spread.
Dallas has been an impressive road team over the past few weeks, racking up a 7-10 record against the spread when playing away from home.
The Mavericks could use improved play from Caron Butler, whom they acquired in a trade with Washington earlier this season. Butler is averaging just 11.0 points over his last five games (down from a season average of 16.2 PPG) and he managed just 11 total points in the recent two-game losing streak. He at least bounced back against the Grizzlies this week, scoring 23 points on 10-17 shooting.
Butler has had some success in two games against Portland this season; he averaged 21.5 points and nine rebounds in those match ups.
Portland (48-30, 43-33-2 ATS) has earned back-to-back victories after beating the Los Angeles Clippers 93-85 earlier this week. Portland has played quite well since March began, going 13-3 since then. The Trailblazers have been pretty reliable for sports betting fans, too. They are 6-3-1 in their past 10 outings against the spread, though they’ve lost two of three.
The Blazers aren’t especially reliable at home—they’ve covered just half of their last 10 games at the Rose Garden.
The Blazer offense has been rather quiet over the past three games, averaging just 94.3 points. The team managed to win two of those, though, so at least the “D” is getting the job done. LaMarcus Aldridge has been huge during the team’s two-game winning streak. The big forward dropped 24 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in those starts.
Aldridge has been solid against Dallas this year (20.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG in three games).
Though the Mavs and Blazers have split their last 10 meetings with each other, Portland has won and covered three consecutive games against the Mavericks.
Portland also owns a 6-4 edge against the spread in the past 10 meetings.
Mavs vs Blazers Free NBA Pick:
Butler is out of his funk, which will help the Mavs, but Portland has their number right now. Playing at home should be enough of an edge. Go with the Trailblazers.
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One reply on “Mavericks vs. Trailblazers NBA Free Pick | Preview (Apr. 9)”
Is Dallas about to enter a “be careful what you wish for” dilemma? It’s on the cusp of clinching the Southwest division and grabbing the No. 2 seed in the West.
But doing so means it could play Portland, a team it hasn’t beaten in three tries this season.
Maybe the Mavericks will feel better if they can finally take one from the Blazers at the Rose Garden tonight.
Their last trip to Portland was particularly tough, as the Blazers held them to just 35 second-half points.
The Mavs, who have allowed 100-plus points in seven of 12, could have their hands full again tonight. LaMarcus Aldridge averages 20.0 points and 8.7 boards against them this year.
And what about Andre Miller? He went bananas against Dallas on January 30, dropping 52 points on the Mavs out of nowhere.
Despite the Blazers’ reign over Dallas, I’m not totally convinced they’ll beat the five-point spread tonight. Five of the last seven meetings between these two teams have been decided by five points or fewer.
I’d go with Portland straight up but Dallas against the spread.
Pick: Mavericks +5