Mavs at Blazers

[mavsfan1000]

Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers preview

9 p.m. today, Rose Garden, Ch. 21; ESPN-FM (103.3), KFLC-AM (1270, Spanish)

08:12 PM CST on Wednesday, March 8, 2006

By EDDIE SEFKO / Staff Writer

Series: Mavs lead 3-0 this season; Blazers lead 65-45 all time.

Key matchup

DIRK NOWITZKI VS. ZACH RANDOLPH

After Randolph went off for 33 points on Tuesday, he should definitely have the Mavericks' attention. He's averaging 25 points against them through three meetings this season. Nowitzki was guarded by all five Portland players at different stages of Tuesday's game. His ability to make the Blazers pay for putting shorter defenders on him is, as always, critical.

Inside the Mavericks

Commendable moment: Jason Terry may miss tonight's game for the funeral of a family member who died unexpectedly. Terry was in Atlanta on Monday but came back for Tuesday's game and had a team-best 26 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. It's the sixth time this season he's had 10 or more points in the fourth quarter. He's averaging 23 points on 56 percent shooting in the last seven games.

Briefly: With Tuesday's 93-87 win, they now are 23-0 when holding the opponent below 90 points. ... The Mavericks (47-13) have the best record in franchise history through 60 games.

Inside the Blazers

Making a difference: After missing nearly a month with an ankle sprain, Theo Ratliff came back Tuesday night and was immediately a pain in the Mavericks' neck. One of the best shot- blockers in the league, he had three rejections to go with six points and six rebounds. His defense was a much-needed boost for the Blazers.

Don't leave him again: Steve Blake missed a wide-open 3-pointer late in Tuesday's game that could have made a difference. The Blazers will take their chances with Blake, a 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc.

PROBABLE STARTERS
Mavericks Pos. Trail Blazers
Dirk Nowitzki F Zach Randolph
Marquis Daniels F Viktor Khryapa
DeSagana Diop C Theo Ratliff
Adrian Griffin G Juan Dixon
Jason Terry G Steve Blake

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...ap.3964487.html

[Darrin]

Mavs by 12. I hope the Blazers pull off the upset for the Pistons' sake.