When the Toronto Raptors host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, they have a chance to convert any fans still skeptical about their 13-2 start into believers.
Tied for the NBA’s best record, the Raptors are riding a six-game win streak. Their last three contests have featured statement performances by Greivis Vasquez, Jonas Valanciunas and Lou Williams, and Bruno Caboclo had the feel-good debut of the year against the Bucks.
The only knock on the team at the moment is that they have yet to beat any of the Western Conference’s elite at full strength. When the Memphis Grizzlies rolled into the Air Canada Centre on Nov. 19, a flu bug forced five Memphis players out of action—including premier perimeter stopper, Tony Allen.
Tonight, though, the Raptors can earn just such a W against Dirk Nowitzki and the 11-5 Mavericks. And in the process they can prove to anyone who hasn’t fully bought in that their hot start is no fluke.
Following tonight’s matchup, Toronto embarks on a three-game road trip out west. While they won’t face the class of the Western Conference, winning is never easy on the Pacific Coast and a victory at home against a tough Mavericks team would provide a nice added boost.
Major Storyline 1: Points galore. Dallas and Toronto rank first and second, respectively, in points per 100 possessions, so if you like offence, this is the game for you. Toronto’s defence is still a top-seven unit, but they’re coming off a questionable outing against the Hawks in which they gave up 115 points. You’re probably going to want to take the over.
Major Storyline 2: Battle of the benches. These teams boast two of the most productive second units in the NBA. The Mavericks’ reserves rank fifth with 37.9 points per game while the Raptors’ bench follows right on their tail at 37.8. Devin Harris and J.J. Barea provide some scoring punch, and they get their teammates going as well. Both average better than eight points and four assists a night off the bench. We may not see Sweet Lou and company dominate the way they have in much of the early going this season.
Major Storyline 3: Lock and load. The Mavericks defence is susceptible to the deep ball, giving up 10.4 triples per game and allowing opponents to shoot 40 percent from beyond the arc. Terrence Ross has cashed 47.3 percent of his deep looks at home this season and Lou Williams is shooting 51.6 percent from three over the last five games. The Raptors’ sharpshooters should be able to do some damage from deep.
Marquee Player to Watch, Toronto: DeMar DeRozan. Despite some questionable offensive efficiency, Toronto’s all-star has eclipsed the 20-point mark in three consecutive games. In Atlanta, it appeared DeRozan might have turned the corner as he connected on his first six shots from the field. Against Dallas’s middle-of-the-pack defence, the USC product could be in for a big night.
Marquee Player to Watch, Dallas: Monta Ellis. Ellis’s game has matured since he arrived in Dallas last season. The transition from the Bucks’ backcourt saw his shooting percentage jump 3.5 points between 2012-13 and 2013-14 (it’s bumped up another 1.3 points this season) and he’s been less turnover-prone. Plus, the Ellis-Nowitzki pick-and-roll is one of the league’s prettiest.
Role Player Who Will Make a Difference, Toronto: Greivis Vasquez. The Venezuelan point guard broke out of his slump in a big way on Wednesday, pouring in 21 points to go along with three assists in 16 minutes of action. If Vasquez gets going, the Raptors’ ‘White Squad’ becomes even more formidable.
Role Player Who Will Make a Difference, Dallas: Brandon Wright. As if the interior presence of Tyson Chandler—2012’s Defensive Player of the Year—wasn’t enough for the Raptors to think about, in Wright the Mavs boast a second athletic rim protector. The two Dallas big men are each averaging a block-and-a-half a game and should pose plenty of problems for JV and Co. on the glass.
Last Season vs. Mavericks: 2-0
Raptors Stats Leaders:
Points: DeMar DeRozan (20.7)
Rebounds: Jonas Valanciunas (8.0)
Assists: Kyle Lowry (6.6)
Mavericks Stats Leaders:
Points: Dirk Nowitzki (19.7)
Rebounds: Tyson Chandler (11.3)
Assists: Monta Ellis (4.8)
Verdict: Unless a flu bug ravages the Dallas lineup, this will be among the toughest tests Dwane Casey’s squad has faced so far this season. Don’t be surprised if Toronto’s six-game win streak is halted tonight. But if last year’s matchups and this season’s offensive fireworks are any indication, this one should be a treat to watch.