Kicked In The Nuts - Mavs Lose 85-81

Jason Kidd and the Mavericks' were ice cold from the floor, making only 38 percent of their shot attempts for the game. Kidd finished the game 1-6 with only three points and was hurt going for a loose ball late in the fourth quarter. Kidd returned to the game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The Dallas Mavericks (20-9) got off to a slow start, starting the game 3-15 from the floor, while scoring their least points in a first quarter (14) and first half this season (33). Dallas outscored the Portland Trailblazers (18-12), 32-14 in the third quarter, but the Blazers recaptured the lead late and held on thanks to Brandon Roy and a big fourth quarter. Roy scored 10 points in that fourth quarter and the Blazers outscored the Mavericks 27-16.

"Other than the third quarter, we get beat by 20 points," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said.

Dallas was within two points (83-81) with 6 seconds left in regulation, but a struggling Jason Terry made a bone-headed play to seal it. Up to that point Terry had missed nine of the 11 shots he had attempted, but JET thought he was going to play hero. With Jason Kidd down on the other end of the floor and the Mavericks with two time-outs remaining, Terry decided he was going to take the ball all the way to the basket against two defenders and go for the lay-up. Of course he missed the lay-up, bitched and moaned about a non-foul call and then sulked his way to the bench. JET was 0-4 in the fourth quarter and ended the game 2-13 for eight points as he is having one of the least productive month's of his entire career.

Dirk's Return

Dirk Nowitzki did all he could to get a victory in his first game back after missing Sunday night's contest against the Cavaliers. Nowitzki was extremely efficient on the offensive end, missing only three of 13 shots for a game-high 27 points. He also pulled down nine rebounds, but seemed tentative early-on in the game. This is a big reason, I believe, that Dirk had a season-high six turnovers. He was 3-4 for 10 points in the fourth quarter, but also accounted for two turnovers. Dirk scored 21 of his 27 points in the second-half.

J.J. Barea Impresses Again

Barea was excellent again for the Mavericks as he continues to justify more playing time. JJ was especially huge in the third-quarter turnaround for Dallas scoring 11 and dishing out four assists. He finished with 22 points, five assists and some heady defensive plays that resulted in offensive fouls against the opposition. Barea was 9-16 shooting (56 percent) and 3-4 from behind the arc as he and Nowitzki led the way for Dallas.

No other Mavericks' player scored in double-digits and those not named Barea or Nowitzki (seven players) combined to go 12-61 from the field (19.6 percent), 2-13 from three and score only 32 of Dallas' 81 points. Dirk & Barea? 49 points, 19-29 (65.5 percent) and 5-6 from distance.

Mavs Free-Throw Shooting Woes
The number-one team in the NBA in free-throw shooting (80.9 percent) didn't look like it tonight against the Blazers. The Mavericks made only 12-22 freebie's (54 percent) for the game. Erick Dampier (who for the season shoots 61 percent from the line) was the main culprit, going 2-8. Although, Damp did have 15 rebounds and eight points on the night.

"The free-throw line was one of the negative things," Carlisle said. "We were never quite right all night and Portland took advantage of it."

What's Next

Both team's played sub-par games tonight. Bad passes, ugly shots and missed defensive rotations characterizes both of these teams' play tonight as it seemed the Mavs and Blazers were ready for Christmas break early.

The Mavericks have three days off before their next game, Saturday (Dec.26) at home against the Memphis Grizzlies (13-15). The Grizzlies have won three straight games and are 12-7 since their 1-8 start. Dallas was defeated by the Grizzlies 98-82, in Memphis, earlier this month so it isn't likely that the Mavericks will take this team lightly.

Tip-off is at 2:00 p.m. and can be seen locally on Fox Sports Southwest.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)