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Blazers dominate Mavericks for fifth straight win

Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

PORTLAND, Ore. - LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 12 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers pulled away in the second half for a 94-75 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.

It was Portland's fifth straight win but it was costly: Starting guard Wesley Matthews had to be helped off the court with a left foot injury early in the third quarter. He did not return and the extent of the injury was uncertain.

Nicolas Batum added 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for Portland, which had four players in double figures despite coming off back-to-back games.

Monta Ellis and Amare Stoudemire each had 12 points for the Mavericks, who saw the return of veteran center Tyson Chandler after a three-game absence.

Chandler, who was out with a left hip injury, finished with four points and 14 rebounds.

The Mavericks remained without Chandler Parsons, who continues to nurse a left ankle injury that has kept him out of six games so far and should also cause him to miss Friday night's matchup against the Warriors.

However, the Mavericks said he could make his return Sunday when the team visits the Lakers. In his absence, Dallas continued to lean on veteran Richard Jefferson.

Portland went up 80-63 on Alonzo Gee's fourth-quarter dunk and Dallas could not catch up. The Blazers were coming off a come-from-behind 98-93 overtime victory against the Clippers in Los Angeles the night before.

The teams had kept close throughout the first half. Dallas went ahead 23-17 late in the first quarter on Devin Harris' short jumper, but couldn't extend the margin. Charlie Villanueva's put-back layup gave the Mavericks a 33-28 lead in the second, but Portland pulled in front 38-36 on Matthews' jumper and led 40-36 at the break.

Early in the third quarter, Matthews appeared to injure his left foot or ankle and had to be helped from the court. Matthews was averaging 16.1 points and 3.7 rebounds for the Blazers going into the game.

The game was tied at 40 when Matthews left, and the Blazers responded with a 12-4 run capped by Batum's layup to go ahead 52-44. Portland extended the lead to 69-55 on Dorell Wright's 3-pointer.

Dallas was coming off a 102-93 victory at home against New Orleans, paced by Ellis with 20 points.

Portland and Dallas had split the previous two meetings this season.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: It was the first of a three-game Western road swing for the Mavs. ... Dallas had won two of the previous three games at the Moda Center. ... The Mavericks scored just 13 points in the second quarter, a season low.

Trail Blazers: Aldridge made a 3-pointer in the first quarter to snap 20 straight misses from the perimeter. ... Portland improves to 26-6 at home. ... It was Aldridge's 30th double-double this season.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

Trail Blazers: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.

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