Blazers Squander Big Lead, Mavs Steal Win 102-101

On Thursday, the Blazers won a game of runs against San Antonio. On Sunday, however, Portland blew their lead, and the game ended on a Dallas 21-5 run to beat the Blazers 102-101.

The Blazers were hot early with a 20-1 run between the first and second quarters. Portland led at halftime 57-47, but Dallas tied the game at 67 in the third quarter.

The final 5:31 of the third quarter, the Blazers closed on a 25-11 run to lead 92-78 going to the final frame. Damian Lillard’s hot eight-of-10 shooting–21 points–drove Portland in the third.

Unfortunately for Portland, they were required to play the final 12 minutes. Dallas outscored Portland 24-9 in the fourth quarter.

Dallas grabbed a 99-97 lead with 2:32 to play. The Mavs hadn’t led since 25-24 to end the first quarter.

Luka Doncic scored 13 of the Mavericks 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Lillard led the Blazers with 30 points, but he missed all four shot attempts in the fourth quarter. Jusuf Nurkic fouled out for the first time since Jan. 21 against Utah. The Bosnian Beast was efficient on offense with nine-of-11 shooting for 18 points, and he grabbed 10 rebounds.

C.J. McCollum scored 14 points, which snapped his three-game streak of scoring at least 30 points.

The Blazers will need to regroup quickly as they head to Oklahoma City to battle the Thunder on Monday night.