The Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks played a sloppy, choppy game on Friday evening at the Moda Center. Dallas is in line for lottery position. The Blazers, at least, are fighting for seeding position in the upcoming NBA Play-In Tournament and the 2026 NBA Playoffs. In theory that should have dictated how this game unfolded. In real life, both teams hustled hard like they wanted the victory, but neither looked accomplished enough to really earn it.

After all the stumbling and fumbling the Mavericks came out on top 100-93. The loss drops Portland to 37-38 in the standings as they chase down the 7th or 8th seed in the Western Conference in preparation for tournament contention.

Portland’s offense wasn’t working well tonight. When that happens, it’s almost guaranteed that the Blazers veterans are going to come to the rescue. Both of them did in this one.

Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday took key possessions into their hands throughout the night. Grant scored 19 on 4-8 shooting with 12 free throw attempts. Holiday had 23 while shooting 8-19.

Anyone complaining about Holiday or Grant taking the ball into their own hands should rewind this game and look at what happened when they didn’t. Say whatever you want about the scheme or the future, this incarnation of the Blazers wouldn’t be the same without their two star vets.

Turnovers have been Portland’s Achilles’ Heel, Calf, Quad, and Nose all season long. That recurred tonight and then some. They regarded the ball with the same surety as a statistics/chemistry double-major approaching a supermodel for her number. “Erm…errrrr…if it wouldn’t trouble you too much could I perhaps…I mean if you…ummmm…nevermind have a good day!” The Blazers committed 13 turnovers in the first half alone and finished with 25 for the game. Yikes.

Red Panda performed during halftime at the Moda Center tonight! The Blazers and Mavericks were pretty sloppy and subpar in their play, but Red Panda is pure world-championship level every time. Good to see her back. All respect to the Intermission Queen.

The Blazers’ homestand concludes on Sunday as they take on the Washington Wizards at 3:00 PM, Pacific.