The Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks collide at the American Airlines Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs Raptors Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs Raptors Pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors were unable to build on the win in their season opener as they fell just short to the Bucks in a 122-116 home defeat on Friday night. Brandon Ingram led the team with 29 points with six rebounds and three assists on 10 of 20 shooting, RJ Barrett added 29 points on nine of 12 shooting, Immanuel Quickley tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Scottie Barnes chipped in with 17 points.
As a team, the Raptors shot 49 percent from the field and 11 of 27 from the 3-point line as they shook off a slow start. They rallied in the second half to tie the scores with the Bucks, until they leaked 36 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Bucks off the hook. The difference in the game was bench production as the Raptors’ reserves got outscored by 45-25 with Gray Dick scoring just five points on two of seven shooting.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have really struggled to get going so far this season and they are now looking to avoid a third straight defeat after falling short to the lowly Wizards in a 117-107 home defeat on Friday. Anthony Davis led the team with 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks while PJ Washington and Cooper Flagg scored 18 points a piece, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 43 percent from the field and 10 of 34 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 35 points in the first quarter to take an early 14-point lead. But that didn’t last long at all as they scored just 17 points in the second quarter to trail going into halftime. Things didn’t get much better in the second half where the Wizards took over and put them behind by 17 points before the Mavericks went on a run that was all too late in the end.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Raptors have lost 17 of their last 18 road games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Mavericks have won each of their last 10 games as favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games as favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Mavericks teams that held a losing record.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last six games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The underdogs have won four of the Mavericks’ last five games.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 16 games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against the Mavericks following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Mavericks’ last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Raptors’ last six games have gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Cooper Flagg ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Klay Thompson ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- RJ Barrett ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for FG% (75.0%) this season.
- Scottie Barnes ranks T3rd amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (7.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for points per game this season (99.5).
- The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-21.5).
- The Raptors rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (26.0).
- The Raptors rank T1st in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (100.0%).
Mavericks vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors could be slightly shorthanded with Collin Murray-Boyles ruled as questionable with a forearm injury, while the Mavericks are still playing without Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, Brandon Williams and Dante Exum. The Mavericks are still missing a bunch of key players, so it could take a while before we see them at their best. However, I still expected to see much more from them, given that they still have players like Flagg and Davis. In contrast, the Raptors came into the season with relatively modest expectations, but they have looked pretty good in their first two outings.
I’m not shocked to see the Mavericks open as favorites at home. I really think this is a good spot for the Raptors to continue their nice start to the season with a minor upset on the road in this one. This one could be a close contest, but I am sticking with the healthier Raptors squad to take care of business on the road.