Dallas Mavs vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview: Can Luka Doncic Get Back on Track after Home Loss?

Following a loss at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic head back to Portland for the second time in eight days to face the Trail Blazers.

After an up-and-down home stand, the Dallas Mavericks are back on the road once again, heading back to Portland for a battle with a now-healthy Trail Blazer squad. 

The two teams faced off in Portland just eight days ago, and the Trail Blazers have Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton and Malcolm Brogdon back from injury since they last played, giving Luka Doncic and company three new players to game plan for.

The last time these two teams faced off, Mavs guard Kyrie Irving fell with a scary-looking injury, and he still remains out with a heel contusion. Fortunately, though, he avoided a season-ending. While the guard is closer to returning by the day, he remains listed as out on the injury report.

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

With an almost fully-healthy team, the Trail Blazers remain on a five-game skid, meaning they will have heavy motivation to beat a hobbled Mavs team. Luka Doncic comes into this game off a 39-point performance that ended in a loss, so he will also be motivated to get his team back into the win column.

This impending road trip could be a big catalyst for this Mavs season, and coming home with at least one win will help the Mavs gain a mental advantage with some big games against several good teams on the horizon.

Injury Report:

Dallas Mavericks:

• Josh Green (OUT- Elbow)
• Maxi Kleber (OUT- Toe)
• Kyrie Irving (OUT- Heel)
• Seth Curry (QUESTIONABLE- Illness)

Portland Trail Blazers:

• Jerami Grant (PROBABLE- Concussion)
• Robert Williams III (OUT- Knee)
• Ibou Badji (OUT- G-League Two-Way)
• Justin Minaya (OUT- G-League Two-Way)
• Rayan Rupert (OUT- G-League Two-Way)

Records: Dallas Mavericks (15-9), Portland Trail Blazers (6-17)

Where: Moda Center (Portland, OR)

When: Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 8:00PM CT

TV: NBA League Pass

Radio: 97.1 The Freak

Odds: Mavericks -5.5

Next Up: The Mavs head to Denver to face the defending champion Nuggets and Nikola Jokic for the second time this season. With Irving still a question mark to play on this road trip, the Mavs will have their work cut out for them in the situation where Irving does not play again.

Final Word: "We do want to get healthy," said Jason Kidd after their win over the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night. "We don't want to play him (Luka Doncic) 44 minutes right now."