The first week hasn't gone as expected for the Dallas Mavericks. Still in search of their first win, the Mavericks (0-4) host only their second home game Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The winless start is obviously a source of concern, but the Mavs aren't hitting the panic button. At least not yet.
"It's frickin' four games in," Dirk Nowitzki said after Wednesday's 97-81 setback at Utah. "You've just got to keep battling and then stop the bleeding at home. We know we have two tough teams coming in, tough matchups, but we've got to stop the bleeding."
The last time the Mavericks opened the season 0-4 in 2006-07, they rebounded to win a league-best and franchise-record 67 games. Of course, that Dallas squad was coming off an appearance in the NBA Finals and Nowitzki was in his prime.
These Mavs don't have the same margin of error. Dallas and New Orleans (0-5) are the only teams without a win in the Western Conference.
"We're fighting, but we've got to play better," said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who suggested changes could be coming.
The Blazers (2-3) aren't exactly off to the races, even with Damian Lillard playing at an MVP-like level. The two-time All-Star point guard is averaging 32.6 points -- third in the league -- 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Lillard is the first player to score at least 27 points in his team's first five games since Kobe Bryant in 2005-06 season. Lillard's 163 points in the first five games are the most ever in franchise history.
Lillard also joined some elite company in surpassing the 7,000-career point mark. He's the fifth-fastest player in NBA history to tally at least 7,000 points and 2,000 assists behind Oscar Robertson, Tiny Archibald, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James.
Lillard's 27 points Wednesday night weren't enough in Portland's 118-115 overtime loss at Phoenix. The Blazers were up 90-83 on the Suns midway through the fourth quarter, but couldn't close the deal.
"Up six, up seven, you've got to put them away," CJ McCollum said. "A team like that with good players, they're going to fight, especially at home. Once they see they've got a chance then they're really going to try to turn it up. It's a learning experience. Obviously, you don't want to have too many of those."
McCollum scored a season-high 24 on 8-of-18 shooting from the floor, including 3-6 from 3-point range, against the Suns. Evan Turner had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mavericks have enjoyed success in the series with Portland. Dallas has won four straight at home and 26 of the last 32 games. The Mavs haven't lost a season series since 2009-10.
Nowitzki is expected to make his American Airlines Center debut after missing last week's home opener with a stomach illness. He returned against the Jazz after missing two games.
Nowitzki scored only nine points and admitted to be winded.
"I've just got to keep battling through it and get my stamina back," said Nowitzki, who was also experiencing soreness in his Achilles while out.
Portland should be without center Festus Ezeli, who's nursing a left knee injury.
