Mavs blow out Blazers, silence Rose Garden
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A stunning third quarter saw the Mavericks blow the doors of the Blazers with a 30-14 quarter for a 67-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Mavs led by as many as 23 points as the Blazers missed their first 15 shots of the quarter and needed a late flurry just to get within 18 points.
After Portland clawed back from a 10-point lead to trail by two at the half, the third quarter started ominously for the Mavs with Jason Kidd picking up a fourth foul early on. But, Dallas was hitting shots while Portland wasn't. Shawn Marion had eight points in the quarter and Dirk Nowitzki had seven. Kidd hit his third 3-pointer and Peja Stojakovic buried two.
Portland is shooting 28.6 percent for the game as the Mavs are playing tight defense and giving up few second-chance opportunities.