Sitting with a 3-7 record in their last ten games, the Mavericks could really use a win Friday night against Damian Lillard and his Trail Blazers. Their hopes are probably contingent on getting their best player, Harrison Barnes, back in his normal groove again.
Over the last five games, Barnes has averaged only 14.4 PPG on 40.8% from the field. These are well below his averages of 18.3/45.4% that he has been posting over the course of the season. Watch for Carlisle to run plays to try to get Barnes involved early and often in this one.
Mavericks rookie sensation Dennis Smith Jr.