NBA Odds: Mavericks (even)
The Toronto Raptors (37-18) head to Dallas to play the Mavericks (38-20) in a game that has the potential to be high-scoring. The game gets underway at 8:30 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 24 and will air on TSN and FSN-SW.
The Mavericks were victorious over the Hornets 92-81 on Sunday. Tyson Chandler had a good game, contributing 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks for the Mavericks. The Raptors, meanwhile, are coming off a demoralizing 98-76 loss at the hands of the Rockets on Saturday. James Johnson had a game-high 27 points.
Over the last five games, Johnson has been on a tear for the Raptors. During that stretch, he has averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as the Mavericks rank fourth in the NBA in offensive efficiency (108.0), while the Raptors are third (108.1). Also, the Raptors commit the fourth-fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.7%), while the gambling defense of the Mavericks causes the third-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.9%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Mavericks won the first game 106-102. Monta Ellis was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Mavericks enter the game with records of 38-20 Straight Up (SU) and 27-28-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 19-5 SU and 15-9 ATS against teams from the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks come into the game with the fourth-ranked scoring offense in the league, averaging 105.9 points per game. The Mavericks, sporting the third-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.9), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team. Something to watch out for is if Dallas can force its opponents into turnovers and convert them into baskets. They’ve done an excellent job of that all year with an average of 19.5 points off turnovers per game to lead the league.
On the other side, Toronto has a SU record of 37-18 and an ATS record of 27-27-1. In Western Conference games, Toronto has gone 12-8 SU and 9-10-1 ATS. They sport the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the league, averaging 105.0 points per game. The Raptors are getting to the foul line at a high rate, with 1,087 free throws made that ranks third in the NBA.
Dallas won the last meeting this season between these two teams, evening up the two teams’ head-to-head record over the last 10 games. The Raptors hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Dallas held the edge in all three of these categories three times in the last 10 meetings. Toronto did so twice.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, ATS Winner – TOR
Notes
Toronto ranks fifth in points per game with 105.0, while Dallas ranks 21st in points allowed with an average of 100.7 given up.
Dallas has allowed an average of 101.0 points per home game this season. Toronto averages 107.3 points per away game, placing the team at the top of the NBA in scoring.
Dallas has an exceptional 19-2 record when it allows under 100 points this season. Toronto is 7-10 when it scores under 100.
When the Dallas Mavericks allow at least 100 points they are 19-18, while the Toronto Raptors are 30-8 when they register triple digits.
The Raptors have a defensive rating of 103.2 (ranked 16th). The Mavericks rank fourth for their offensive rating of 108.0.
The Dallas Mavericks average 98.1 possessions per game and 1.080 points per possession, while the Toronto Raptors earn fewer possessions (97.2) but more points per possession (1.081).
The Toronto Raptors have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking ninth in the league with an EFF% of 50.7%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Dallas Mavericks have an underachieving 7-14 record.
On average, the Dallas Mavericks make 22.9 assists per game and the Toronto Raptors make 21.0. Dallas is ranked eighth, while Toronto is ranked 20th.
Dallas makes an average of 4.8 blocks per game (ranked 11th), while Toronto makes 4.6 blocks per game (ranked 18th).
The Dallas Mavericks rank 17th in offensive rebounding, while the Toronto Raptors rank 26th in defensive rebounding.
The Dallas Mavericks rank ninth in steals, with an average of 8.3 per game. When the Toronto Raptors allow at least 8 steals, they have a winning 11-6 record.
