Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online

Dallas Mavericks v Portland Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles against Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Moda Center on January 26, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Getty Images

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The Portland Trail Blazers, who host the Dallas Mavericks Friday night, have been playing well enough lately against quality teams to be considered better than their 6-14 record would indicate.

The roster at full strength has yet to be on display given that Anfernee Simons missed 18 games before returning Wednesday at Golden State.

With Jerami Grant out Friday, Deandre Ayton doubtful and Malcolm Brogdon questionable, the Blazers must continue to wait to see what they look like whole.

But with that they have on hand, and at home, the Mavericks could be ripe for an upset.

The Mavericks have a mediocre defense ranked 23rd in defensive rating (116.1) and they give up a ton of points in the paint (54.7 per game, 26th). Offensively, however, Dallas is putting up 119.7 points per game (fifth) and hits on 37.5% of their three-point attempts (eighth).

If the Blazers can somehow slow down Dallas’ offense, the Mavericks’ defense could provide Portland with a legitimate chance to pull out the win.

Who isn’t looking forward to seeing Toumani Camara locked up on Luka Doncic?

Prediction: Portland has been difficult for good teams to defeat. Dallas is a good team with a huge problem on defense. With Grant and Ayton playing, a victory would be quite possible. Without them, or even one of them, the Blazers likely lack the firepower to contend with Dallas’ offense led by Doncic who is averaging 31.8 points and 8.5 assists per game.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS

What: Trail Blazers (6-14) vs. Mavericks (12-8), 7 p.m., Friday.

Where: Moda Center.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: Root Sports (in Portland: Comcast 734; DirecTV: 687) and Root Sports PLUS (in Portland: Comcast 1253; DirecTV: 688).

Watch the game live online: You can watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). You can also get this game on DirecTV Stream’s “CHOICE” package (promotional offers), if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer that platform and their pricing plans. If you already have a cable or satellite provider that carries Root Sports and want to watch online, you can watch this game live on Root Sports Live.

ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR +240 | DAL -298

Spread: POR +8 | Over/Under: 227.5

INJURIES

Blazers: Malcolm Brogdon (right knee soreness) is questionable. Deandre Ayton (knee soreness) is doubtful. Jerami Grant (concussion protocol), Ish Wainright (right MCL strain) and Robert Williams III (season-ending right knee surgery) are out.

Mavericks: Josh Green (right elbow strain), Maxi Kleber (right toe dislocation) and Grant Williams (right knee soreness) are out.

NEXT UP

The Blazers got back on the road to play at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the LA Clippers (10-10).

Latest Blazers news

-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)

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