Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks: Predictions and Betting Odds

Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX

When: Sunday January 27th, 7:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): TSN, Fox Sports West | TSN Radio 1050 Toronto

Toronto Raptors (Away)

Head Coach: Nick Nurse {All-Time 36-14 | TOR}

The Toronto Raptors sit in a tie for first in the Eastern Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks. While the two teams have been unable to separate themselves from each other since the beginning of the season, the Raptors will hope they can come out of this three game road trip in pole position.

Winners of eight of their last ten matches, the Raptors hold a respectable point differential of +5.6. With Kawhi Leonard back in the lineup for the Raptors, they are nearly back to full-strength when they take on the Mavericks.

The Toronto Raptors will need to watch out for the diverse attack of the Dallas Mavericks when they take them on. Luka Doncic is a unique talent that lit up the Raptors in their first meeting. With home court advantage, look for DeAndre Jordan to impose his will as the Raptors are short without their own interior enforcer Jonas Valanciunas.

Dallas Mavericks (Home)

Head Coach: Rick Carlisle {All-Time 739-604 | DET, IND, DAL}

The Western Conference is deathly competitive. With a record of 21-26, the Mavericks are thirteenth in the West. A record that would make them eighth if they were in the Eastern Conference.

The Mavericks have struggled as of late. Going 3-7 in their last ten matches while being dead even (0.0) in their point differential.

The Mavericks lost in their first meeting with the Toronto Raptors this season. While Doncic and Matthews both went for 20+ points, the lack of contribution from the bench all but assured the Mavs wouldn’t be able to come back in that game. This time out, the Mavericks will have Dennis Smith Jr available. With a heady defensive point guard like Lowry on the other side, the quickness of Smith will only help the Mavericks offence.

What’s At Stake?

In their all-time history, the Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks have put together a very competitive series. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 25-19 over the Raptors.

A win for the Toronto Raptors would break the tie with the Milwaukee Bucks and give them sole possession of first place in the East.

A win for the Dallas Mavericks would put them above the New Orleans Pelicans and place them in twelfth in the Western Conference.

Questions to answer

How can the Raptors separate themselves from the Bucks?

Should the Mavs really give up on Dennis Smith Jr?

We are going to compare the Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Since the beginning of 2019, the Raptors have shared first with the Bucks

It’s been a difficult road for the Toronto Raptors since the turn of the New Year. While they hope to separate themselves from the Bucks for first in the East, neither team has fallen off significantly enough to warrant one taking sole position.

The Raptors are trending the right way though. They are almost back to full strength as OG Anunoby and Kahwi Leonard return to the team. Meanwhile Jonas Valanciunas is like less than two week away from coming back to the court.

There are rumours that the Raptors are looking to add an elite-level shooting guard to their ranks. While names like Bradley Beal are being thrown into the equation, it is tough to ask a team to make such a significant change mid-season. Especially considering they have been so successful.

Dennis Smith Jr has been made available

With the explosion of Luka Doncic on to the scene for the Dallas Mavericks, Dennis Smith Jr has become the forgotten man for Dallas. Still lightning quick but with some recent injury issues, Smith’s name has surprisingly been put on the trading block.

While the Mavericks dangle Smith for other teams as the trade deadline nears, there is a question of how close the Cavs really are to competing. Leave no doubt that the Mavericks are a strong team. Were they in the East they would be in playoff position. However they are more than a couple pieces away from competing in the West and losing a young talent like Smith Jr could be something they regret later.

Smith has only played in 29 games this season. while his scoring is down he has shown himself to be more efficient in his limited role. Both his field-goal and three-point field-goal percentage are significantly higher than last season, both above league average. While he has less of the ball, he has done well to fit into the new offence. Time will tell if Smith leaves the Mavericks, but with his level of talent the Mavericks should continue forward wisely.

Toronto Raptors Roster Notes

F OG Anunoby – Day To Day (Personal) – Anunoby did not play in Wednesday’s (Jan. 23) game.

C Jonas Valanciunas – Out (Thumb) – Head coach Nick Nurse said Valanciunas will miss at least another 2 weeks.

Dallas Mavericks Roster Notes

G JJ Barea – Out For Season (Lower Leg) – Barea will have season-ending surgery on his torn right Achilles on Monday (Jan 14).

Head-to-Head: Kawhi Leonard vs Luka Doncic

Kawhi Leonard

Small Forward | 6-7, 230lb (201cm, 104kg) | San Diego State | Exp. 8 Years

27.6 PPG | 3.1 APG | 7.9 RPG | 1.9 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 2.0 TOV | .504 FG% | .368 3P%

Luka Doncic

Power Forward | 6-7, 218lb (201cm, 98kg) | Real Madrid/Slovenia | Exp. Rookie

19.9 PPG | 5.3 APG | 6.8 RPG | 1.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 3.2 TOV | .428 FG% | .356 3P%

Two of the NBA’s most popular players, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic face off. After sitting out of the last three games due to “Load Management” Leonard returns in time to get revenge on Luka Doncic who posted 22-4-5 on him in their last meeting.

Kawhi Leonard is a generational talent. Not only is he defensively as adept as any player to grace an NBA court, he has shown an offensive repertoire that was unknown while he was with San Antonio. He has missed a number of games this year as the Toronto Raptors try to manage his health, but he is fully healthy and available to take on the youthful Dallas Mavericks.

Luka Doncic, if the NBA All-Star Game were decided by popular vote, would’ve not only been an All-Star this season but a a starter as well. While he is unlikely to make the team this year, Doncic has shown that his versatility on offence can take advantage of any defender. He’ll need to be at his peak to take down Kawhi Leonard’s Toronto Raptors.

Toronto Raptors at Dallas Mavericks Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Toronto Raptors favoured over the Dallas Mavericks by 4, with an over/under of 110.