Game 46: Mavs at Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. — Eager to return to the court following back-to-back narrow losses, the Dallas Mavericks hope to avoid a three-game slide Saturday night on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.Falling to a hard-fought 107-101 overtime loss at home to the Los Angeles Lakers last Saturday, the Mavericks (15-30) then overcame a 23-point deficit before suffering a 105-102 defeat Tuesday in Denver. The Mavs will now try to use a three-day layoff to their advantage, taking on the Trail Blazers (24-21) before returning home to play three straight games. But after committing late-game miscues in both of their last two games, the Mavericks know they’ll have to compete at a high level from start to finish Saturday night.

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