Stephen Nover's NBA Total of the Month
(NBA) Dallas vs. Portland, 01/20/2018 5:00 PM, Score: 108 - 117
Total: 208.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
Since the end of Christmas both Dallas and Portland have become strong offensive, rather than defensive, teams. But the oddsmaker hasn't fully caught up to this.

Dallas has reached triple digits in eight of its last nine games. The Mavericks have scored 114 points or more in six of those nine games. Portland is on a streak of 10 straight triple digit scoring games. The Trail Blazers have scored 110 or more points in eight of those 10 games.

During this time span, both teams are ranking in the top-five in offensive efficiency and in the bottom-10 in defensive efficiency.

Increased tempo and strong guard play has contributed to this. Rookie Dennis Smith Jr. has started to live up to his hype, while the Trail Blazers are finding extra minutes for Shabazz Napier joining sharpshooters Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum in the backcourt giving Portland an effective small-ball lineup.