The Dallas Mavericks took care of their business against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday with a 132-108 home win that was essentially decided just after halftime. Luka Doncic led Dallas with 27 points while Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 19 points. Daniel Gafford dominated inside with 23 points, and Kyrie Irving contributed with a very efficient 20 points and a lively defense.

The first quarter was marked by foul trouble for the Mavericks, as PJ Washington and Maxi Kleber both scored two points, and the Mavericks were unable to gain much distance, never extending the lead to more than six points. Scoot Henderson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Portland its only lead of the game, 31-28. Dallas responded with a 7-0 run to start the second quarter, narrowing the differential in rebounds and fouls to take control and take a 62-53 lead into halftime. A 40-point explosion in the third quarter opened the way for the Mavericks, who increased their lead with aggressive defense, transition baskets and a confident inside performance from center Daniel Gafford, ending the frame 102-76. With the lead secured, coach Jason Kidd was able to clear the bench in the fourth quarter as both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were eliminated for good with 9:00 left.

Standing in the shop

Unlike the first meeting between these teams, a 137-131 road win on December 1st for an injury-depleted Mavericks team that required late-game heroics from Doncic, this game had very little excitement as Dallas took control after the first quarter. The Mavericks’ season-long strategy of holding off defense proved particularly effective against the Blazers, who were unable to capitalize on that plan, connecting on just 8 of 29 3-point attempts. Dallas reserves Dwight Powell, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Kessler Edwards and Jazian Gortman all logged at least nine minutes in the win, giving the Mavericks, plagued by injuries and illness for much of the last month, a much-needed chance to rest their rotation players .

Luka Doncic’s return

Luka Doncic returned from a two-game absence with a heel injury and scored 27 points. He overcame a slow start in which he made just one of his first six shots from the field to finish the game with 10 of 19 points. Doncic also returned from injury in Dallas’ first game against Portland, but was able to share more points this time. What was also notable in this game was the fact that he was able to score points even though his three-point shot didn’t fall; He made just one of his seven attempts from deep, but was a perfect 7 of 7 in the paint.

Feed the fire

The Blazers sent the house to stop Gafford, but Portland stars Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan and a host of supportive defenders couldn’t stop him from scoring a season-high 23 points with a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field When he got to the line, he scored on 9 of 14. Perhaps most impressively, several of Gafford’s players received the ball far from the basket and had to put it on the floor, to get to your destination.

Gafford’s performance allowed Dereck Lively II to rest as he only had 17 minutes of floor time, which is helpful in a season where Lively was often banged up. Dallas, which leads the league in shooting percentage, next faces Minnesota at home in a matinee Christmas Day matchup.