Full-Court Press

Dirk down but not out

The Mavericks' anchor was hobbling around on a sore right ankle, but it wasn't anything serious, apparently.

Of more concern was the fact that he could only get 12 shots against the Blazers tonight.

"That's not enough,'' he said. "But that's what we're going to see in the playoffs. They did a good job keeping the ball out of my hands in scoring positions. Teams are going to take our first action away.''

The Mavericks also weren't thrilled about scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter or allowing 50 percent shooting for the game to the Blazers.

It all adds up to a frustrating loss in a game that the refs nearly lost control of a couple times and was full of, as Shawn Marion said, "testosterone.''

Mavs take a beating again from Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. _ If the Mavericks have their druthers, they'd probably rather not see Portland in the playoffs.

The Trail Blazers made it 3-0 against the Mavericks this season with a 101-89 win early Friday morning at the Rose Garden and remain the only team in the NBA the Mavericks have yet to beat this season.

And it doesn't seem to matter what style the Mavericks play against the Blazers. Nothing has worked yet. They got beat in a defensive struggle early in the season, then lost an umptempo game when Andre Miller poured in 52 points.

On Thursday, it was a case of not being able to stop the Blazers, who led virtually the whole way. Whenever the Mavericks made a push to get close down the stretch, the Blazers responded.

A contentious, physical and at times testy game came down to the Mavericks having to not only play hard, but play well in the fourth quarter.

They accomplished the first, although neither team put on a clinic down the stretch.

The Mavericks were within 82-80 after a Shawn Marion layup. They were hanging tough with defense as the Blazers opened up the final period missing six of seven shots.

Amazingly, the Mavericks had zero fast-break points at that point.

Then came the tilting point as Portland scored 11 of the next 13 points to go up 93-82 with under six minutes left.

It was a four-pronged attack for the Blazers with LaMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby, Andre Miller and Brandon Roy taking turns peppering the Mavericks.

They were fighting from behind most of the night, partly by their own doing. They were victimized by an old nemesis when they finished the first two quarters very poorly. They gave up the last four points of the first quarter without even getting a shot off themselves.

The second quarter was even more egregious.

Caron Butler's 3-pointer pulled the Mavericks within 57-54, but he was called for a technical foul after the shot for taunting the Blazers. Andre Miller's free throw pushed it to a four-point Blazers lead and then Brandon Roy took an inbounds pass and went the length of the court to score on an easy layup to make it 60-54 at the break.

The Mavericks had a chance to grab the momentum going into the second half, but instead tossed it away.

Mavs working hard, making no headway

They are stuck in an 88-80 hole and can't seem to get out of it. They've pulled within a bucket a couple times, but then the Blazers get away again.

Getting a little frustrating for the guys, it seems.

Worst quarter-finishers ever?

OK, maybe not ever. But certainly bad on this night.

The Mavericks got a 3-pointer from Caron Butler with 10 seconds left in the half and were within 57-54. But Butler began jawing and taunting the Blazers and received a technical foul, and Andre Miller made the free throw.

Then Brandon Roy went the length of the court for a simple layup to put the Blazers up by six going into the break.

Those are the kind of giveaway points that destroy a team's momentum heading into halftime.

Three-point fiesta

The Mavericks have hit three consecutive 3-pointers and one of them was from Shawn Marion.

It was his third triple of the season, out of 16 attempts.

The Mavericks still trail 49-46.

Now that's a soft touch

J.J. Barea just made the hardest shot he'll ever make that didn't go in.

He went to the paint and scooped a layup that crawled over the front of the rim and kissed the backboard ever so gently, then came to rest on the back of the rim.

That's hard to do if you're trying let alone if you aren't.

The shot typified how it's going for the Mavericks so far. They are close, but can't get over the hump, trailing 40-37 with 5:48 left in the half.

Mavs getting a kick start from Haywood

Brendan Haywood has taken some nifty passes and converted them into dunks and the Mavericks are hanging tough, trailing 36-35.

Haywood has eight points and Erick Dampier has yet to return after getting two early fouls.

Pitiful finish to the quarter

Jason Terry had the ball pilfered and Jerryd Bayless got a breakaway layup one-tenth of a second before the quarter ended and the Blazers got free 32-27 after one.

The Mavericks aren't playing bad. But they have to be better.

Interesting side note is Blazer backup Juwan Howard coming over to the Mavericks' bench and slapping hands with about half the team and a lot of the support personnel.

He's always been the type of NBA player who was a friend to all.

Mavs hit the skids early

This thing is getting out of hand in a hurry.

It's only 25-16, Portland, but it seems worse than that for the Mavericks, who have been outscored 10-2 with Marcus Camby getting five of the Blazer points.

It's a trend the Mavericks need to reverse immediately.

Jason Terry has entered the game, but it's the defensive end of the court that must be addressed. The Blazers are shooting 69 percent.

Mavs foul happy to start

Erick Dampier picked up a couple of quick fouls, one of which was a smart foul on Marcus Camby that saved two points after Camby missed two free throws.

But the Mavericks already have four personal fouls and only half of the first quarter is done.

That's about all they've done wrong, although nobody has been able to guard LaMarcus Aldridge yet. He's got eight of the points for the Blazers, who are up 13-12.