NBA Odds: Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Preview & Game 1 Free Pick
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Game One: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Date: Saturday, April 16, 9:30 p.m. ET
Venue: American Airlines Center
Broadcast: ESPN
Blazers vs. Mavericks betting lines from Sportsbook.com
Money Line:
Spread: Dallas -5
Over/Under: 186
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The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers kick off their Western Conference playoff series on Saturday night. The teams split their regular-season series at two wins apiece, though Portland led 3-1 against the spread.
Dallas (57-25, 43-37-2 ATS) comes into the playoffs red-hot, having won four consecutive games. The most impressive victory was the last, a 121-89 mauling of the New Orleans Hornets. The Mavericks easily covered the spread and are enjoying a 4-0 run on NBA odds.
The Mavericks are putting the “D” in Dallas right now. The recent run has been sparked by marvelous defense, and the team is allowing just 91.5 points per game over its last four victories. The crown jewel was in the New Orleans game, when Dallas won the second half 63-28.
At the other end of the floor, forward Dirk Nowitzki and guard Jason Terry are the only sure things. After coasting through most of April, Nowitzki appears primed for the postseason. He dropped 32 points and the Hornets and is averaging 27.5 points and 9.0 rebounds over his past two games. Whether or not anybody shows up to help Nowitzki and Terry is the real question.
Portland (48-34, 43-35-4 ATS) lost its last game of the regular season 110-86, but that’s quite misleading—the Blazers rested five of their top eight players, including three starters. Throw that game out the window and Portland has won three straight games, including a 3-0 effort against the spread.
After a long, impressive season, LaMarcus Aldridge got some rest by taking off the final game of the season. Like Nowitzki, Aldridge is rounding into playoff form. The young forward has notched double-doubles in four consecutive games, and he’s averaging 23.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in his past two outings. He’s ready to go.
This is likely going to be a long series. The teams played to a dead heat during the regular season and both look ready to play. Portland is in an extremely tough stop, though; Game 1 of a series always has some extra electricity in the air, and the Mavericks will be playing in front of a wild, crazy home crowd. That will carry Nowitzki and Terry, who in turn will carry the Mavericks on their backs. Dallas will win, cover and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
NBA Trends:
POR are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 Sat. games.
POR are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Southwest.
Over is 6-2-1 in DAL last 9 vs. NBA Northwest.
Under is 5-2-1 in DAL last 8 home games.
Under is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings in Dallas.
POR are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Portland at Dallas Free Game 1 Pick: Mavericks -5
Ian Van Den Hurk has covered amateur and pro sports for years, including a successful run handicapping anything from football to mixed martial arts.
