Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trailblazers (-2.5) Betting Odds

Dallas (47-24, 28-41-2 ATS) has cooled since a recent 13-game winning streak; the Mavs have gone just 2-3 since then. They're coming off a 106-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas has been brutal at the sportsbook over the past few weeks-the team is just 2-7-1 in its last 10 games on NBA odds. The Mavericks have actually excelled on the road, though, going 5-1 in their past six games against the spread when away from home.

After excelling during the winning streak, Dallas' offense has slowed down over the past week or so. It averaged just 95.3 points per game over the past three losses and failed to crack triple digits in any of those games. One of the problems has been Caron Butler. Though averaging 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on the year, those totals have dropped to 11.8 PPG and 4.8 RPG over his last five outings. Defensively, the Mavericks have been just as bad. They've surrendered 115 points per game over their last three losses.

Portland (42-29, 38-31-2 ATS) is coming off a 93-87 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Before that, the Trailblazers had won five consecutive games, and they remain a rock-solid 8-2 in their past 10 outings. Victories have been harder to come by at the sportsbook, though. Portland is just 2-4-1 against the spread in its last seven games. Playing at home is of little consolation, as the Blazers have only covered four of their last 10 home games on NBA odds.

Portland has been cruising and, unlike Dallas, is playing phenomenal "D." Even though the Blazers lost to Phoenix, they held the high-scoring Suns to just 93 points. In fact, over the past six games, Portland has allowed just 92.5 points per game. Offensively, the team is led by Brandon Roy. Roy has been fantastic and is racking up 25.2 points per game in his last five starts, including a recent 41-point outburst against Golden State. Marcus Camby, who was brought in mid-season from the Clippers, is averaging 13.0 rebounds per game over the same span.

Dallas has a slight edge in the head-to-head series, winning six of its last 10 meetings with Portland. The Blazers, however, are 6-4 against the spread in those games. The total has gone under in two of their last three match ups, though it has gone over in four of the last six. Betus.com has the total set at 192.

Game Pick - Prediction
Take the Trailblazers