Stephen Nover's Thursday Crusher - 41-25 (62%) NBA
(NBA) Dallas vs. Portland,
Point Spread: 4.50 | -110.00 Portland (Home)
Result: Loss
Home-court advantage, line value and rapid revenge all put me on the Trail Blazers. 
Dallas and Portland have essentially traded places. The Mavericks have become a solid playoff team, while the Trail Blazers are now a lottery club. I accept that, but do believe Dallas is due for a regression - especially losing underrated big man Dwight Powell for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon - and Portland is due for an uptick. 
The Trail Blazers shouldn't lack incentive having lost, 120-112, on the road to the Mavericks six days ago. Portland has beaten the Mavericks each of the last three times it has hosted them.
Kristaps Porzingis looked extremely rusty on Tuesday in his first game back from missing eight games with a knee injury. This will be his second game since the injury. 
Luka Doncic is a great guard. But so is prideful Damian Lillard, who won't want Doncic to show up his team at home.Â