Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction and Preview - Nov. 16 | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks will face each other at the American Airlines Center on Sunday. Both teams enter the match-up having lost their previous game.

Dallas’ rough month continued with a 133-123 overtime loss to the LA Clippers, adding another setback to an already frustrating stretch. Portland didn’t fare much better, taking their sixth defeat of the season in a lopsided 140-116 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Both teams last played on Friday and have equal rest, but with this being the final stop on Portland’s five-game road trip, Dallas holds a slight edge in freshness.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction

Moneyline: Trail Blazers -155, Mavericks +135

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Spread: Trailblazers -3.5 (-110), Mavericks +3.5 (-110)

Total over/under (o/u): Trailblazers o233.5 (-105), Mavericks u233.5 (-115)

*Editor's note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off*

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks preview

The Portland Trail Blazers enter this contest with a balanced 6-6 record. After a strong start, winning four of their first six, the Trail Blazers have slipped in November, managing just two wins in their last six games.

Offensively, the Trail Blazers have been one of the league’s sharper teams, averaging 120.6 points per game (8th). However, their defensive issues continue to hold them back, as they allow 120.8 points per game (22nd) and rank 20th in rebounds and 23rd in assists.

They will once again rely on Deni Avdija, who recorded a 22-point double-double in the previous game. The forward has been their best performer this season, averaging 25.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks have struggled to find their footing. Expected to push for a playoff spot in the offseason, the team has instead opened the year with just three wins against 10 losses.

They enter this match-up on the back of three consecutive defeats and will face a difficult opposition in the Portland Trail Blazers. The Mavericks have struggled to generate offense, ranking 27th in scoring at 109.2 points per game, while allowing 115.8 points on the other end.

Their struggles are further highlighted by their dependence on their rookie. Cooper Flagg has been the Mavs' best player this season, averaging 15.2 points per game, while shooting 43.6% from the field.

In terms of injuries, both teams enter the game with inflated injury lists. The Trail Blazers will be without Scoot Henderson on Sunday, while Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley are all out for extended periods.

The Mavericks remain without Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum as both continue to recover from knee injuries. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis and P.J. Washington are on the injury report, with their status to be determined at game time.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks predicted starting five

Portland Trail Blazers predicted starting five

PG- Jrue Holiday, SG- Shaedon Sharpe, SF- Toumani Camara, PF- Deni Avdija, C- Donovan Clingan

Dallas Mavericks' predicted starting five

PG- Cooper Flagg, SG- Brandon Williams, SF- Klay Thompson, PF- Naji Marshall, C- Daniel Gafford

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks betting tips

Deni Avdija is expected to score over 24.5 points after his 22-point outing against the Clippers. He is averaging 25.8 points per game.

Cooper Flagg is expected to score over 16.5 points. He is averaging 15.2 points per game.

Donovan Clingan is projected to collect over 8.5 rebounds against the Mavericks. He has averaged over 8.8 boards per game this season.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks prediction

Portland enters as a -3.5 favorite, largely due to Dallas’ injury issues and poor form. The Trail Blazers should be well-positioned to get back to winning ways on Sunday with minimal trouble.

Prediction: Trail Blazers to win by seven points or less.

Edited by Arian Kashyap