PORTLAND, Ore. – When the Mavericks landed in Oklahoma City nine days ago to begin what they told us was a pivotal five-game road trip, momentum and optimism were palpable.
Dallas had won eight of its last nine games. It had climbed to fourth in the West, a mere 3.5 games behind first-place Denver.
Despite a dogged effort Sunday night in the absences of Luka Doncic (rest) and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Mavericks fell to Portland, 140-123 in Moda Center to finish the trip with a playoff-race-damaging 1-4 record.
