Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

DALLAS, TX–Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks (35-18) defeated the 111-101 in overtime over the Portland Trail Blazers (34-17) in a battle of Western Conference powerhouses in front of a sellout crowd at the American Airlines Center.

 

 

Chandler Parsons got off to a hot start offensively, finishing the first quarter with 7 points to lead the Mavs. The story of the first half was all about runs as the Trail Blazers went on a 13-0 in the second quarter, followed 9-0 Mavs run. By the end of the second half, the Mavs thankfully only trailed Portland 55-50, despite shooting 39 percent from the field against a Portland team that was blazing the floor, shooting 47 percent in the first half.

 

Case in point: Portland has 15 assists on 20 made field goals.

— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) February 8, 2015

 

The third quarter proved to be the major turning point in the game for the Mavs as they fell behind by as much as 15 points. The Mavs continued to struggle shooting the ball and were manhandled on the boards by the Blazers big men. LaMarcus Aldridge was once again a Mavs killer, finishing the night with his 12th straight double-double against the Mavs.  After being down by as much as 16 points in the fourth quarter, Dallas scratched and clawed their way back into the game, but it looked like they would fall short.

 

Then, with minutes left in the game, Dallas went on an offensive spurt, finishing regulation on a 13-2 run capped by Dirk, who came out of nowhere,  to hit a huge three to tie the game with 20 seconds left and send the game into overtime. In overtime, the Mavs offensive, led by Parsons, completely took over and never looked back, defeating the Blazers by 10.

 

Next Up: Mavs vs Clippers on Monday, February 9 at 7:30pm CT at the American Airlines Center.

 

Photo Credit: Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images