The Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks worked their way into an incredible back-and-forth game on Valentine’s Day and each team left their hearts on the floor in a dazzling display of offensive moves. Like the first blush of love, it was a game of powerful, immoderate runs. Portland went up early quickly, but was caught by the emerging Mavericks for the second time. Then Damian Lillard goes over the top with the hearts and roses, leading his team to a season-high 45 points in the third period, only to be fielded by the equally impressive Luka Doncic in the fourth round and a nail-biter to set up. in which each team played ‘He loves me, he does not love me’ with the victory. In the end, the Blazers played once more than the Mavericks did, leading to an impressive and lively 121-118 victory on the road.
First term
If the Mavericks were to come out prepared for Damian Lillard, it would not have shown in the early minutes of the game. Lady went for the layout, shot the deep three, hit slaps … he brought out his entire repertoire against Doncic, the man who will lead him in the 2021 NBA All-Star Voting. By the time Dallas finally winks and says, “Oh … THAT’s what it looks like!” they allowed Portland 14 points before the quarter was 1⁄3 done. Half of those belonged to Dame.
The Blazers did not defend well at first, but Dallas scored tries and could not strike back. Their scoring efforts looked good, but bore little fruit. The Mavs experienced chronic problems defending the track. When Portland entered, they could easily be seen. Then their tries also started to fall, and the lead approached 10. Dallas closed late, but a big Carmelo Anthony dunk put off a period of 9 times, 5 assists, from Lillard. Portland led 34-25 after one.
Second term
Portland faced some challenges at the start of the second period. They coughed up the ball as if it were mucus and they could not stop the Mavs at the bow. Before you could say, “Taco Bell is a bad substitute for a real Valentine,” their lead was obliterated. Anthony helped them through via his now customary points. Simone of the delegate, who threw in triplets, did not hurt. But the defense never quite returned to the first quarter. Enes Kanter passed late inside, but it fell in the face of Dallas hitting outside. When the dust settled, Dallas led 61-58. Doncic had 24 at halftime.
Third term
The first minutes of the third looked frustrating for the Blazers. They had already climbed over a lack of erroneous calls, and they sometimes traded hits and frequent misses with the Mavericks. That’s when Lillard said enough is enough. Lady strengthened it and ran bright to the moon, and struck like your grandmother during Advent. His outburst spurred the Blazers to a 19-5 run that was only blunted when Doncic repeated his three-point shooting tear in the first half. By that time, Lillard was in stop-stop-stop-stop-mode, never-stop-mode, and he hit the shooters and shots with the same proportion. At one point, Dallas hit five tries in a row, which was the ONLY thing to keep them within shouting distance in the face of the Lillard Barrage. But it was a long shout. The Blazers scored 45 in the period and completed the framework 103-91. Wow.
Fourth term
Dallas made the start of the fourth turn and hit the paint easily. The Mavericks consistently maintained the score. But Portland does not have to earn every trip, just enough to keep the opponent at stake. They managed it until four o’clock, where the accumulation of easy Mavericks buckets began to show. With Portland picking the worst time to miss open tries, Dallas won 12-0. It was broken by a Lillard essay with 90 seconds left.
A Doncic ride and a 50-second dish left the Mavericks finally back in a 113-game tie. 17 seconds later, Lillard hit a setback three from the top of the arc. The Blazers invited Doncic all but to shoot in the subsequent possession on the ride, and Anthony found Jones, Jr., with 7 seconds left. Dallas would have the last shot, 118-121. Somehow, Portland lost Doncic plays on the incoming tries, but the All-Star misses his easiest look of the night. This is how the Blazers walked away with a dazzling victory and a happy story.
Damian Lillard’s death was spot on again. He hit 11 shots to go with his 34 points. His favorite target was Carmelo Anthony, who himself scored 15 from the bench.
Of this victory, Portland owes much to hard work on the glass, especially through offensive setbacks. They equaled Dallas by 10 that night.
The Blazers appeared frustrated tonight with the refs’ lack of love. They fired 19 free throws while Dallas attempted 25.
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The Blazers tackle the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night at 5 p.m. in the Pacific.