Irving’s magic couldn’t make up for defensive flaws against Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. – With no Luka Don\u010di\u0107, no Dereck Lively II, no P.J. Washington and no Naji Marshall, you’d assume the Mavericks were going to have to use smoke and mirrors to pull off a win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Well, Mr. Smoke did his part as Kyrie Irving lit the fire for the Mavericks. And, to be fair, most of his teammates holding the mirrors did their part, too, at least on the offensive end.

But the real magic was the disappearing act on defense for the Mavericks as they simply could not stop the Blazers in the 126-122 Portland win Saturday night at Moda Center.

When you are as shorthanded as the Mavericks were, you can’t afford to let an opponent outscore you 58-38…