The Toronto Raptors end their homestand against the Dallas Mavericks. Can our team continue its undefeated start to the season before five of their next six games on the road?
The up-and-coming Dallas Mavericks visit Scotiabank Arena tonight to face the Toronto Raptors. Dallas is transitioning slowly, though inexorably, from being Dirk’s Team (do I need to add his last name?) to one led by an influx of kids.
While a 2-2 start seems solid enough, there are cracks in the ceiling. The Mavericks haven’t played a single contending team yet, and their two road losses have been to Phoenix and Atlanta. I doubt the Suns and Hawks will total 50 wins between them when all the counting is done.
The Mavericks had a 20-point lead after Q1 in Atlanta, yet lost by 7. An inability to retain a hefty lead is the hallmark of a young team. Yet the growing pains are essential. Youth must be served, even when it hurts. And the Mavs boast some excellent, inchoate talent.
Luka Doncic is garnering the most attention so far. He’s a Rookie of the Year candidate, but he’s hardly a true rookie. He signed a pro contract with Real Madrid at…wait for it…13 years of age. Doncic is 19, and was starting with RM at 16.
Dennis Smith, Jr. enters his second season with confidence after an excellent rookie campaign. I suppose he’s the point guard, but this team is fluid. Doncic is more than capable of ball-handling, though I can’t say the same for veteran shooting guard Wesley Matthews. He can still fill a stat sheet, but no more than once a week. They will need to replace him before too long.
Dorian Finney-Smith serves as a placeholder at power forward. At center is 30-year-old DeAndre Jordan, still useful but not someone Dallas will have on the roster when they are ready to contend.
The Mavs are already in jail with injuries to key personnel. No one knows when future Hall of Famer Nowitzki will be back in the lineup; likewise Harrison Barnes and Devin Harris.
Their bench, past team assist leader J.J. Barea and Canadian power forward Dwight Powell, is notably weak.
3 keys to Raptors victory
- Jump on them early. The key to beating a team in as much flux as Dallas is giving them no reason to believe they have a chance. The Raptors enjoyed a strong start against the T’Wolves on Wednesday, but let them off the canvas. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen here.
- Do a lot of damage inside. While I don’t think I want to see Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka on the floor to start, there are worse ideas. The front court of the Mavericks cries out to be exploited. If Pascal Siakam gets the call, look for him to do strong work on offense. Keep leaking out, Pascal – the results are almost always positive.
- Control the kids. Our young defenders, like OG Anunoby and Siakam, must keep their feet on the ground, and stay in front of Doncic and Smith. Dallas leads the league in 3-pointers attempted with 42.5 per game, so closeouts will also be important.
Prediction
I thought the Minny game would produce crazy scoring numbers, but neither team shot particularly well. Dallas hasn’t had trouble producing baskets, but they haven’t faced any team with the defense of the Raptors. Time for a blowout.
Toronto Raptors 117 – Dallas Mavericks 94