![\"PORTLAND,](\"https:\/\/platform.mavsmoneyball.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/104\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2253272811.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 29: Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 29, 2025 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne\/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Mavs did a lot of hanging around in the third quarter behind a much friskier defensive effort coming out of halftime. Dallas held Portland to 22 points in the third quarter, perhaps helped by some tired legs on the second night of the Blazers\u2019 back-to-back set.<\/p>\n
Marshall hit on a 3-pointer near the top of the key with 40 seconds left in the third quarter on a find from Klay Thompson that pulled the Mavericks to within 97-89. Marshall split a pair of free throws the next time down, before Thompson heaved a desperate leaning 3-ball as time expired in the frame to cut the Portland lead to four going into the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
Thompson was just 1-of-6 from 3-point range before banking that one in at the third quarter buzzer. Dallas made it a 10-0 run on Thompson\u2019s pull-up jumper near the free throw line with 10:40 left in the game, and all of a sudden, the Mavs were back within one, down just 97-96 at the time. Thompson would bang in his third 3-pointer of the game a minute or so later to tie the game at 99-99. It may have been the quietest 13-2 run of the year, but it set the Mavs up for yet another clutch game opportunity against the Blazers.<\/p>\n
6: Mavericks\u2019 scorers to reach double figures<\/p>\n
In the first quarter, Daniel Gafford provided an unexpected early offensive lift with 10 points to start the game. In the second quarter, it was Christie and Brandon Williams. In the third, it was Williams and Thompson. Minus Anthony Davis, who sat out a second straight game with an adductor strain, and with Flagg firing on half his cylinders at times, Dallas needed all hands on deck to make things interesting down the stretch.<\/p>\n
Williams led the Mavs with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the loss. Christie put up 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Marshall and Gafford each chipped in 17. Thompson had 14 on 3-of-10 shooting from distance and drilled a couple of those in key moments in the game, but came up empty on a contested 3-pointer from the left wing that would have tied the game as the fourth-quarter buzzer sounded.<\/p>\n
Flagg shot just 6-of-20 from the floor but made some plays on the defensive end and still contributed 15 points in the loss. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you\u2019re on Team Tank), Advija and Love combined for 12 of the Trail Blazers\u2019 final 14 points in the game\u2019s final five minutes to keep the game just out of reach for Dallas down the stretch.<\/p>\n
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