The Toronto Raptors travel to the American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have won two of their past three games and they will be eager to build on their 123-116 overtime win at San Antonio on Sunday. Scottie Barnes led the team with 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, OG Anunoby and Dennis Schroder scored 24 points each while Jakob Poeltl chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, the Raptors shot 45 percent from the field and 19 of 48 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 39 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 22-point lead, before they held the Spurs to just six points in overtime to cap off the comeback victory.
Toronto Raptors Team Facts
- The Raptors have won five of their last six games as an away underdog when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- Each of the Raptors’ last five games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been on fire with six wins in their first seven games and they will be looking to stay hot after blowing past the Magic in a 117-102 road win on Monday. Luka Doncic led the team with 29 points and six assists on nine of 17 shooting, Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr scored 21 points each while Grant Williams chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Mavericks shot 50 percent from the field and 15 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a poor start and fell behind by as many as 15 points in the first half, before they dominated the second half by 64-36 to win with ease in the end.
Dallas Mavericks Team Facts
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last four games as a home favorite when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 11 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents following a win.
- Five of the Mavericks’ last six games as favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
Peter’s Pick
The Raptors could be shorthanded once again as Precious Achiuwa is listed as questionable for this one, while the Mavericks are keeping an eye on Maxi Kleber who hold as a questionable status at the moment. The Raptors will be feeling good following their overtime win over the Spurs on Sunday, but it’s the Mavericks who come into this one as the favorites given their form over their first seven games. The Raptors are more than capable of pulling off the upset here, but they’ve lost two of three road games and it’s going to be hard to quiet the Mavericks who have looked great so far. I expect the Raptors to stick around for most of the contest, but in the end I have the Mavericks pulling away for the win and cover at home.
