Trailbazers vs Mavericks | Prediction & Pick

NBA Free Pick – Wednesday, December  15, 2010

vs.

Portland Trailblazers (12-13) vs Dallas Mavericks (19-5)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 9:30 pm EST on ESPN

Last meeting: These teams have not met this season.

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Portland has been scuffling all season.  They seemed to right themselves with a four game winning streak but that came to a halt last week.  Now they enter Dallas on a two game skid, visiting one of the hottest teams in the NBA.  Admittedly this team had been dinged up but that seems like more of an excuse than a reason right now.  Portland’s biggest problem is that they are not scoring the basketball.  Brandon Roy’s numbers are down significantly as he has been in and out of the lineup.  Where would be the Blazers be without offseason acquisitions Marcus Camby and Wesley Matthews?  The signing of Matthews was heavily criticized but he has been very good and one of their most reliable scorers.

The Mavericks have suddenly morphed into a defense first team.  Dirk Nowitzki is having a typically productive season but with Tyson Chandler in the middle they are disrupting team’s offensive flow and having success at the defensive end.  Dirk will never be a great defender but with Chandler, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler, Jason Terry and Shawn Marion they have a plethora of guys who get after it on D…not to mention enough offense to outgun teams when necessary.  The Mavs are off to an incredible pace and should be able to hand the visiting Trail Blazers.  P.S.  Dirk is on fire right now, back to back 30 point games.

The current line on this one is Dallas -7.  I hope it drops a point or two but I like it right now too

Prediction: Dallas is tough to beat at home.  They should win fairly easily.

Score:    Dallas 95 – Portland 85

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Portland Trailblazers Betting Trends

• Trail Blazers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Wednesday games.
• Trail Blazers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Trail Blazers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

• Mavericks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games.
• Mavericks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Northwest.
• Mavericks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.