Mavericks Pull Off Much-Needed Overtime Win Against the Blazers
On Sunday night, the Mavericks outperformed the Trail Blazers 138-133 in overtime, holding onto a tough homestand and handing Portland a road trip finale loss. The win was a big one for Dallas, as they had struggled at home and needed a spark to turn their season around. The Mavericks were perfect in overtime: they went seven for seven from the field in that extra session, with their only turnover being an eight-second violation. Meanwhile, Portland, despite dominating in one key area, had 32 second-chance points to Dallas’ 10, and could not convert enough elsewhere. Shooting woes hurt the Trail Blazers: the team shot only 40.7% from the field and just 29.8% from three-point range.
Dallas had stand-out individual performances from the rookie Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, and P. J. Washington. Flagg made a big impact: 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and notably scored 19 of his 21 in the 4th quarter and overtime. Daniel Gafford delivered in a big way with some important free throws and a layup in overtime to put the Mavericks in the driver’s seat. Washington matched Flagg’s 21 points to pull off the overtime win.
Beyond the numbers, this game also highlighted the Mavericks’ growth in late-game execution, something that has wavered throughout the early part of the season. Their poise in overtime wasn’t just about shot-making; it was about decision-making. The ball-handlers minimized risky passes, the spacing was clean, and role players understood exactly where to be. Even defensively, Dallas showed better composure, forcing Portland into tougher, late-clock jumpers rather than giving up the easy drives and kick-outs that had hurt them earlier. This kind of controlled, purposeful basketball is what the Mavericks will need if they’re going to stabilize their record and re-establish themselves as a threat in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks needed this win to halt a downward slide: they closed out a four-game homestand on a high note, which could help restore confidence. The Mavericks’ perfect overtime execution shows composure, the emergence of rookie Flagg to step up in the fourth quarter and overtime speaks to potential in high-pressure games. This was a statement win for Dallas, not just because they won, but because of how they won: disciplined, clutch, and stepping up when it mattered. For Portland, while there were plenty of strong individual performances, the inefficiencies and missed shots loomed large. If the Trail Blazers hope to recover on the road trip, cleaning up the shooting and tightening crunch-time defense will be critical.
