Blazers Pull Away In Fourth Quarter To Top Mavericks 101-89

The Portland Trail Blazers are the poster boys of the tempo-free stat movement in the NBA. Because they play at such a slow pace (dead last in the league by a wide margin), people incorrectly assume they’re a good defensive team and a poor offensive team. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, as the Blazers rank 7th in offense and just 15th in defense once you adjust for pace.

But Portland’s defense is getting better. They acquired Marcus Camby from the Clippers in February, and since then, they’ve risen in the rankings. Last night, the Blazers put that improved defense on display, limited Dirk Nowitzki and a loaded Dallas Mavericks team to just 89 points (or, more accurately, a rate of 101.1 points per 100 possessions).

For more on the game, visit SB Nation’s Mavericks and Blazers blogs Mavs Moneyball and Blazers Edge.

Portland, OR (Sports Network) - LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, as the Portland Trail Blazers continued their playoff push with a 101-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.