T.M. Selection: Portland Trail Blazers.

I like the Portland Trail Blazers to cover the spread against the Dallas Mavericks in this game on Friday. The Trail Blazers have lost 9 games in a row now and they haven't looked good lately at all. They only have 2 games left before their year is over and I think they are going to try to go out on the right foot with a win in 1 of these final 2 games. I don't think they will actually get another win before the regular season is up but I think they can keep this game close enough to cover the spread in it. The Mavericks have looked good lately with 2 wins in a row and they have only lost 1 time in their previous 6 games too. They have already secured their spot in the playoffs and are only playing for seeding at the moment but they are better off using this game to rest some players and considering how bad the Trail Blazers have been lately, I can see the Mavericks resting their players here once they take a lead here and I expect to get a backdoor cover from the Trail Blazers if they aren't hanging in the game from the start like I think they will. I think the Mavericks aren't going to take them seriously in this game and I see there being opportunity here for the Trail Blazers to keep this game within the spread. I like the Trail Blazers to cover the spread here.

T.M. Prediction: 124-113 Mavericks.