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big al has a play or opinion on every one of todays games and
the Jazz is his highest rates, so I am guessing it would be
the Jazz.
Texas sportswire Mavs write-up:
PORTLAND (50-32 SU/39-41 ATS) at DALLAS (60-22 SU/37-45 ATS)
Portland head to Dallas for a seven-game series with the Mavericks. Dallas' Michael Finley and Portland's Scottie Pippen returned from injuries just in time for the playoffs. The one who returns to form first could determine which team will advance. Dallas went 7-6 while Finley recovered from a strained hamstring, ending a season-long stay atop the NBA and dropping to the third seed. Portland went from an early season funk to a 38-16 roll after Pippen took over at point guard. Then a knee injury knocked him out and the Blazers went 8-9. They missed a shot at the fourth seed, which would've given them home-court advantage in the first round, and dropped all the way to sixth. Finley and Pippen played the final two games and neither was very sharp. Rest, practice and the incentive of the playoffs should bring out whatever they can muster when the series opens Saturday night. As the team's longest-tenured player, Finley is the emotional leader, a big brother-type who calls together on-court huddles. In this series, he'll be the one who reminds teammates not to lose their cool when Portland starts bumping and bruising and warns them not to whine to the referees about it. It didn't take long for the Mavericks to switch to flattery power. Relieved of facing the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, Dallas made it clear Thursday that getting the Portland Trail Blazers doesn't represent a free pass when the NBA playoffs start Saturday. Far from it, in fact. The Mavericks couldn't sing enough praises of the Blazers, barely a dozen hours after finding out their first-round opponent. Portland also is a team that was swept by the Lakers last season in the first round and has experienced plenty of on-court and off-court controversies. Blazers having to defend themselves against charges of marijuana possession, Blazers dropkicking teammates and Blazers having run-ins with opposing players are not uncommon occurrences. But that edge also is what makes them dangerous. There is no denying that avoiding the Lakers is a good thing. Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and friends were as hot as any team in the league at the end of the season. And starting the playoffs against the three-time defending champions is a curse no team would want. Portland's strength is the tough play of Bonzi Wells, Rasheed Wallace, Dale Davis and Zach Randolph. They also have Arvydas Sabonis, more of a finesse player who is one of the best-passing big men in the league. Throw in Pippen and the matchup problems for the Mavericks become obvious. Regardless of whether the Mavericks really feel deep inside that they caught a break in getting the Blazers instead of the Lakers, it doesn't matter. This is their reality and how they handle this eventuality should be interesting. Portland finished the season 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS, while Dallas ended the season 6-4 SU and 4-6 ATS, but won their last three games of the season. The two teams split the season series as previously noted, but Portland won the ATS battle - going 3-1 ATS. Dallas has been terrific at home this season, going 33-8 SU. Will side with the Mavericks in this one.
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