Dallas’ two-game losing streak is finally over after they survived a stubborn New York Knicks side, 109-102, in overtime. They can make it back-to-back wins this coming Friday, but will face the ultimate test when they travel to Air Canada Centre to face the red-hot Toronto Raptors who are in the midst of a six-game winning run.
Can the Raptors continue their hot start and extend their win streak to seven games? Or will the Mavericks put an end to their party? Read on for a preview of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics here.
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Dallas Mavericks vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
Tyson Chandler picked the perfect time to play his best game of the season as he led the Dallas Mavericks to a thrilling come-from-behind 109-102 overtime win over the New York Knicks.
[sc:NBA240banner ]With Dallas’ perimeter shooters going ice-cold, Chandler took it upon himself to carry the scoring cudgels for the Mavs as he set season-highs not only in points (17) but also in rebounds (25). His frontcourt partner Dirk Nowitzki joined in the fun as well, burying 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to give the Mavs their 11th win of the season.
If they are to stand a chance against the red-hot Toronto Raptors, though, they will need to get their perimeter game going. The Mavericks shot just 4 of 31 (.129) from beyond the arc, the fewest they have shot all season and their worst shooting percentage from deep as well.
What makes this Dallas offense tick is their ability to stretch defenses with their outside shooting. The key to their offensive sets is Nowitzki who is tough to guard at the four position. This year, he has transitioned more to being a shooter with 53 percent of his offense now coming from jumpers compared to just 42 percent last year.
Although he struggled against New York, going just 1 of 8 from beyond the arc, the Mavericks will continue to go with their German superstar who leads the league in points per play this season with a 1.18 clip.
Turnovers also have played a crucial role in Dallas’ success this season. The Mavs have the third fewest turnovers per game (11.4) and they’re forcing the second-most turnovers per game (17.9) as well. As a result, the Mavs are ranked first in points off turnovers per game (21.9) and they’re also allowing the third-fewest points off turnovers per game (12.8).
Their +9.1 points off turnovers per game differential is the best in the entire NBA. They will have their work cut out for them, though, against the Raptors who commit just 11.2 turnovers per game, second-best in the NBA.
Toronto’s hot start to the season shows no signs of slowing down after they stormed to their sixth consecutive victory with a 126-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday. The Raptors are now 13-2 for the season, three and a half games above the Washington Wizards for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The secret behind their surprise success this season has been their solid offensive production. They are second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 108.0 points per game this season. That’s almost seven points higher than their 101.3 PPG average last season.
Their offensive brilliance was on full display Wednesday night when they scored a season-high 126 points against the Hawks. Leading the way for the Raptors was DeMar Derozan who scored 27 points. A total of seven players scored in double-figures for the Raptors who have won 11 of their last 12 games, the best stretch in the club’s 20-year history.
They will face their toughest test yet, though, this coming Friday when they host the Dallas Mavericks. Like the Raptors, the Mavs have been scorching hot on the offensive end, averaging 109.3 points per game this season, the best mark in the entire NBA.
The good news for Toronto is that they have the means to combat Dallas’ firepower. The Raptors have been excellent on the defensive end as well, allowing just 96.4 points per game this season, seventh-best in the NBA.
The Raptors mainly rely on ball pressure to create easy opportunities on the offensive end. They are sixth in the NBA in steals this year with an average of 8.4 a game and that has resulted in the Raptors scoring 20.1 points off turnovers, the second-best mark in the NBA.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors beat the Mavericks to extend their win streak to seven games.
