National Basketball Association
Portland 125, Dallas 119
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, March 19, 2021
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Officials: #42 Eric Lewis, #51 Aaron Smith, #67 Brandon Adair
Attendance: N/A

CJ McCollum scored 32 points and Damian Lillard added 31 as the Portland Trail Blazers opened a two-game set against the visiting Dallas Mavericks with a 125-119 victory on Friday.

Billed as a duel of superstars, Lillard got help from McCollum to earn the victory over the Mavericks and Luka Doncic, who scored 38 points. Portland's Terry Stotts earned his 500th career victory as an NBA head coach.

Portland used a 9-0 run late in the game to turn a 110-106 deficit into a 115-110 advantage. Lillard capped the run with a pair of baskets, the second one with 2:51 remaining.

The victory was the seventh in the past nine games for the Trail Blazers and the third consecutive since McCollum returned from a two-month absence caused by a hairline fracture in his foot. Carmelo Anthony had 18 points off the bench for Portland, and Enes Kanter contributed 14 points and nine rebounds.

Doncic added nine rebounds and nine assists for the Mavericks while Tim Hardaway had 25 points and Maxi Kleber added 16. Dallas lost for the third time in the past five games.

While McCollum was part of the supporting cast in consecutive victories this week upon his return, he took more of a starring role Friday. He shot 11 of 23 from the field and sealed the victory on a step-back 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining that gave Portland a 118-112 advantage.

Midway through the second quarter, McCollum already had 12 points, the most since his return.

Portland held a slim 64-60 lead at the half, then pushed its advantage to as many as seven twice in the third quarter.

Dallas made a charge late in the period just as Lillard was dealing with a knock to his knee. The Mavericks' Josh Richardson landed on Lillard's left knee while both players hit the court chasing a loose ball with 2:37 remaining in the third.

The game was tied 86-all with 3:56 remaining in the third quarter before Dallas grabbed a 105-98 lead. The Blazers took charge from there as McCollum scored 11 points in the final period as Portland outscored Dallas 32-21.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Dallas   Portland
Luka Doncic 38 Scoring CJ McCollum 32
Luka Doncic 9 Assists Damian Lillard 6
Luka Doncic 9 Rebounds Enes Kanter 9
Luka Doncic 4 Free Throws Made Damian Lillard 7
Trey Burke 1 Steals Robert Covington 3
Kristaps Porzingis 2 Blocks N/A
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Dallas 119 54.3 19-42 12-13 25 39 4 4 12
Portland 125 47.3 22-47 15-17 17 43 0 5 6
Upcoming Games
  • Portland will play their next game at home against Dallas. The Trail Blazers have a W/L % of .583 after a win and .647 after a loss.
  • Dallas will play their next game on the road against Portland. The Mavericks have a W/L % of .524 after a win and .526 after a loss.