For the first time this season, the Mavericks are trying to fight their way out of a losing streak.
Their trip to the East Coast could not have gone worse, with losses at Orlando and Washington dropping their record to 6-5. They had to dodge a tropical storm in Florida.
Now they’re trying to navigate a storm of their own, hoping to snip this two-game skid before it gets any worse.
And getting out of it isn’t going to be easy against the stronger-than-expected Portland Trail Blazers, who are rolling along at 9-3 and pressing Utah for the top spot in the Western Conference.