Mavericks at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks will try to close out their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 on Thursday night at the Rose Garden. That will not be easy considering that the Mavericks are just 2-18 in their last 20 playoff road games and the home team has won all nine meetings between these teams this season. A big key for both teams has been controlling the boards. Tyson Chandler had his best output of the playoffs with 14 points and a career playoff-best 20 rebounds in Game 5 as Dallas never allowed Portland to make a serious run in the fourth quarter.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, CSNW
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: Finally, the Mavericks received the kind of game they had been waiting for from Chandler, who had 16 total points in the first four contests of the series. Dallas outscored Portland 17-8 in second-chance points and had 20 offensive rebounds. “From start to finish, we played aggressive,” Chandler said. “We did the same thing in Portland, but only for three quarters. (Tonight) we did it for four quarters and that's why we got the win." Dirk Nowitzki has scored at least 20 points in all five games of the series. He had 25 in Game 5 on Monday. Jason Terry scored 20 and Jason Kidd had 14 assists.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Portland will again try to use the home court to its advantage. The Blazers rallied from 23 points down late in the third quarter to win Game 4. “There's a big home-court advantage in this series,” Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge said. “Going home, we get a lot of good play from a lot of guys. Guys play more confident at the house. We should have the edge.” Aldridge had 12 points and nine rebounds, but the Blazers might need more scoring from their best threat. Gerald Wallace had 16 points and nine rebounds, but 10 came when the game was already decided. Brandon Roy cooled off considerably with five points after scoring 24 in Game 4.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Chandler, who entered the game averaging 4.0 points and 7.5 rebounds, had 20 rebounds - including a franchise playoff-best 13 offensive rebounds. Andre Miller made 8-of-14 field goals for 18 points and had seven assists.
KEY STATISTIC: Dallas had a big advantage on the boards, 49-37, and in turn was 26-of-35 from the foul line to Portland’s 14-of-19 effort. The Trail Blazers shot just one free throw in the first half compared to 14 for the Mavericks.
LAST WORD: “We’ve got to find a way. We know that they’re going to hit us with a lot of pressure and a lot of physical play early and we’ve got to respond well to that.” – Dallas coach Rick Carlisle on Game 6.