Marvin Bagley III scored a season-high 26 points off the bench, and Cooper Flagg added 24 as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak with a 100-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at Moda Center. Naji Marshall chipped in 19 points and five steals to bolster Dallas’ comeback on the road.
Bagley, who shot 11 of 14 from the field including 3-of-5 from three, also grabbed nine rebounds in his most productive scoring night since last April. Flagg contributed four steals and controlled the floor for Dallas, helping the team recover after a 142-135 loss at Denver on Wednesday.
Portland was led by Jrue Holiday’s 23 points and Deni Avdija’s 20 points and nine rebounds, but the Trail Blazers could not maintain their momentum. Donovan Clingan added 17 rebounds, yet the team fell short in the final minutes despite tying the game at 92 with 2:25 remaining.
The Mavericks sealed the win with an 8-1 run over the final 2:25. Bagley opened the stretch with a layup and dunk, while Marshall and Brandon Williams converted four key free throws. The decisive run highlighted Dallas’ ability to close games after struggling on the road this month.
Dallas improved to 24-50, earning a rare road victory, while Portland dropped to 37-38, snapping a two-game winning streak. The Trail Blazers had won five of six prior to the loss, briefly climbing back to .500 for the first time in over two months.
The Mavericks will host Minnesota on Monday, and Portland returns home to face Washington on Sunday. Bagley’s efficient shooting and Flagg’s defensive impact were critical as Dallas ended its five-game skid and regained confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
