The Portland Trail Blazers gave the Dallas Mavericks an early Christmas present on Monday night, a 132-108 win for Dallas in which the Blazers didn’t compete after halftime. It was Portland’s second straight loss at Texas, which is more typical of this season.

Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Deni Avdija led Portland with 19, 6 and 3.

Here are some of the factors that stood out from the game.

Early lane assistance

The Blazers have been inconsistent on defense in recent weeks, but tonight they showed a willingness to help each other in the lane, at least early in the evening. This applied to both Deandre Ayton’s position in the middle and Donovan Clingan, who played more defensively. The center was still the backup in Portland’s scheme, but the Blazers threw at least a wing and often a guard into the lane when Dallas penetrated. The plurality of bodies helped keep the Mavericks’ attempts low-key. This made every big man in Portland look better on defense than advertised. Avdija and Scoot Henderson seemed particularly alert.

I’d be lying if I said this spirit lasted the entire game. The Mavericks ended up scoring 64 points. Center Daniel Gafford looked like Joel Embiid, shooting 7-7 from the floor en route to 23 points, thanks in part to Portland’s poor interior defense. But at least the first quarter was a tantalizing glimpse of what this team could be.

Sales

The Blazers were down 62-53 at halftime, not great, but not a disaster either. They started turning the ball over in the third period and lost 40-23 in that frame. That dashed any hope, no matter how faint, of a comeback. Portland finished the game with 19 turnovers.

Scoot Trust

The Mavericks fielded the game’s two best point guards in Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but Scoot Henderson seemed to ignore his relative lack of experience and name and went after his opponents as if he had never heard of them.

That moxie led Scoot to 7 points in the first period and 14 for the game, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 turnovers. It wasn’t a Hall of Fame performance, but at least there’s a pulse.

Deni is recovering

After a difficult game against the Spurs on Saturday, Deni Avidka bounced back with 19 points on 6:11 shooting, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Avdija seemed comfortable on offense, especially when he threatened to call his own number to keep Dallas defenders honest and aware of him. When they weren’t watching him closely, he drove and scored. When they did, he passed well. He also hit his threes, which helped spread the floor. Avdija’s good plays make the Blazers’ offense run much more smoothly.

Deandre Ayton

Whatever mixed feelings Blazers fans may have about Deandre Ayton, sometimes he looks pretty darn good out there. That was true tonight, especially in the first half. His mid-range jump shot was pure, making him a deadly scoring threat. Defensive talk is negotiable, but points from the middle of the field definitely make the Blazers’ offense look stronger. Ayton finished the game with 16 points on 8-11 shooting, 9 rebounds and 2 steals.

rebounds

Looking for the bright side of things in the midst of a blowout, Portland grabbed 16 offensive rebounds in the game. Ayton delivered 4. Avdija and Toumani Camara equaled him with 4 each. At least something somehow went right, right? Yes.

Next

Box score

The Blazers will resume play shortly after Christmas and face the Utah Jazz on Thursday, December 26th at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Pacific.