DHJ Quick Take
- Guarding the Arc: After struggling against Golden State and Denver, the Dallas Mavericks held Portland to just 26.7% (8-of-30) from three, a “conscious effort” highlighted by coach Jason Kidd.
- Standout Activity: Naji Marshall led the defensive charge with a season-high five steals, while rookie Cooper Flagg added four steals, including a critical late deflection to ice the game.
- Turnover Conversion: Dallas forced 24 Portland turnovers (converting them into 33 points), utilizing a high-pressure scheme that kept the Blazers to their lowest scoring output in nearly two weeks.
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Dallas Mavericks came into Friday night’s game at Moda Center knowing their defense needed to be better. They delivered. Dallas held the Portland Trail Blazers to 93 points and 26.7% from 3-point range—Portland went just 8-of-30 from deep—in a victory that snapped a five-game losing streak.
The Mavericks’ defensive struggles has reached a new level since the All-Star break, producing a 118.9 defensive rating (24th). The Mavericks had allowed 120 points or more in nine of their last 10 games, with a road victory over the heavily injured Memphis Grizzlies being the lone exception. During this span, teams have shot on average 15.2-of-39.0 (39.0%) from deep against Dallas.
The defensive resurgence was a direct response to a challenge issued by coach Jason Kidd during Friday morning’s shootaround. The Mavericks had been struggling defensively, particularly on the perimeter, surrendering efficient shooting nights to the Denver Nuggets (19-of-38), Golden State Warriors (16-of-36), Los Angeles Clippers (21-of-42), and Atlanta Hawks (14-of-35) in four games prior.
“We talked about that today at shootaround,” Kidd said. “We had to be better. In the last week or so, we hadn’t been up to par. I thought the group made a conscious effort of guarding the three and then being able to rebound after that. The guys did a great job tonight.”
Naji Marshall and the Art of the Steal
All five were delivered on Friday. Naji Marshall was the standout, spending the majority of the night guarding Deni Avdija, who finished with 20 points but was made to work for every basket. Marshall’s five steals were the most visible reflection of his activity, but his positioning and communication throughout the game were equally important.
“I thought Naji did an incredible job there on Deni, making sure that he didn’t get anything easy,” Kidd said. “He had to work for everything. The guys executed the game plan defensively, the physicality, and understanding we had to rebound the ball.”
Marshall said his growth defensively this season comes down to repetition.
“Just reps, just being out there, playing more minutes,” Marshall told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I’m just learning as I go.”
Communication and ‘Having Each Other’s Backs’
P.J. Washington pointed to communication as the foundation of the defense’s success Friday night.
“I felt like we were locked in tonight on that end,” Washington told Dallas Hoops Journal. “We talked well, we had each other’s backs, and then we limited them to one shot and tried not to give up too many offensive rebounds. Then we ran.”
Cooper Flagg also acknowledged the collective improvement, placing it in the context of a stretch in which Dallas had let defensive habits slip.
“I thought it was much better,” Flagg said. “Since the break, our defense has been a little lax, and I know we’ve slipped a little bit. But I thought tonight was a much better job of defending at a high level.”
Cooper Flagg and the Fourth Quarter Closure
Flagg himself was active on that end, recording four steals, including a late deflection that Kidd singled out as a turning point in the final minutes.
“That play that he had with the deflection there with the lob — that was big time,” Kidd said.
Portland committed 24 turnovers — Dallas converted them into points throughout the night — and was held to 39.2% from the field overall. The Mavericks’ defensive effort was particularly sharp in the fourth quarter, holding Portland to 17 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
Flagg said the fourth-quarter defensive performance reflected the group’s maturity in a close game.
“I thought just staying together,” Flagg said. “They obviously made a couple runs, but I think just staying together and staying the course. We executed when we had to and made the winning plays down the stretch.”
The Mavericks return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center.
More Dallas Mavericks Coverage Before Minnesota Timberwolves Matchup
- P.J. Washington Praises Marvin Bagley III’s ‘Dominant’ Career Night Against Portland Trail Blazers
- Naji Marshall Joins P.J. Washington As Questionable For Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Due To Illness
- Marvin Bagley III Uncertain For Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Following Shoulder Injury
- Daniel Gafford Probable For Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Following Right Shoulder Sprain
- ‘Just Having Fresh Legs’: Klay Thompson Breaks Dallas Mavericks’ Single‑Season Bench 3‑Point Record
- ‘He’s Doing The Right Thing’: Jason Kidd Endorses Naji Marshall For Dallas Mavericks Contract Extension
- Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd Calls Cooper Flagg The ‘Clear-Cut’ NBA Rookie Of The Year
- ‘Big Win On The Road’: Dallas Mavericks Snap Five‑Game Skid Behind Marvin Bagley III’s 26 In 100–93 Win Over Portland Trail Blazers
