Lillard pours in 42 as Blazers top Mavs
DALLAS -- Damian Lillard continued his torrid start, and the Portland Trail Blazers topped the short-handed Dallas Mavericks 105-95 Friday night at American Airlines Center.
Lillard racked up a season-high 42 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range. Lillard has scored at least 27 points in all six games this season, which is the best scoring start in franchise history.
The Mavericks were without two big frontline pieces in dropping to 0-5 for the first time ever.
Andrew Bogut missed the game for personal reasons. Dirk Nowitzki started in Bogut's place at center, but he didn't play in the second half due to right Achilles soreness.
Nowitzki, who was making his home debut, has already missed two games this season. His status is uncertain for the Sunday home game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Portland (3-3) snapped a two-game skid by winning in Dallas for the first time since Jan. 18, 2014.
The Blazers extended a 55-52 lead at halftime with a strong start to the third quarter. Portland knocked down 7 of 10 from deep in the period, taking as much as a 16-point lead.
Dallas battled back and went into the fourth down just three again. After getting within 79-78, Lillard led another push as the visitors regained control.
Lillard's pull-up jumper from the line put Portland up 97-87 with four minutes to play. The Mavs wouldn't get any closer than six points the rest of the way.
Mason Plumlee scored a season-best 19 for the Blazers, 15 coming in the first half on 5-of-5 shooting. Al-Farouq Aminu added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
J.J. Barea, inserted in the starting lineup with Bogut out, knocked down five 3-pointers and led Dallas with 23 points. Harrison Barnes had his first double-double for the Mavs with 17 points and 10 boards.
Portland completes a three-game road trip Sunday at Memphis.
NOTES: Dallas starting C Andrew Bogut was inactive due to personal reasons. PF Dirk Nowitzki moved into Bogut's spot, with G J.J. Barea moving into the lineup. ... Nowitzki is playing through a sore Achilles tendon. "He just has to work through this period of getting his legs back and getting back to feeling himself," coach Rick Carlisle said. ... Portland PG Damian Lillard's 163 points in the first five games are the most ever in franchise history. On Wednesday, Lillard became the fifth-fastest player in NBA history to reach 7,000 points and 2,000 assists behind Oscar Robertson, Tiny Archibald, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. ... Dallas' only previous 0-4 start was in 2006-07.