RAPTORS (8-3) AT MAVS (6-5)
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FSSW
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: This is the opener of a four-game homestand. The Mavs also host San Antonio (Monday), Golden State (Wednesday) and Cleveland (Friday) on this homestand. The four teams the Mavs play on this homestand have combined to capture the last six NBA titles. . .The Mavs are on their first losing streak of the season. The Mavs finished a recent three-game road trip with a 1-2 record. After winning in Memphis (138-122) on Nov. 9, the Mavs lost in Boston (116-106) last Monday and in New York against the Knicks (106-103) this past Thursday. . .Luka Doncic leads the NBA in triple-doubles with five, and picked up his fifth when he totaled 33 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in Thursday’s game against the Knicks. Doncic is averaging 28.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 9.3 apg. Doncic is second in the NBA in assists and fourth in scoring. . .Kristaps Porzingis (18.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (11.6 ppg) are the only other members of the Mavs who have played multiple games who are averaging at least 10 ppg. . .The Mavs are averaging 114.2 ppg, and are shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from beyond the 3-point stripe. . .The Mavs are 25-20 all-time against Toronto, including 16-7 in Dallas.
About the Raptors: Toronto captured its first NBA title last season when it defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games in the championship series. . .Of course, the MVP of the Finals – then-Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard – now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. But the Raptors are still loaded with talent. Pascal Siakam (27.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Kyle Lowry (21.8 ppg, 6.5 apg), Fred VanFleet (17.1 ppg, 7.6 apg), Serge Ibaka (14 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and OG Anunoby (11.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) are huge difference-makers for the Raptors. . .Lowry (broken left thumb) and Ibaka (right ankle sprain) haven’t played since they were injured in the Nov. 8 game in New Orleans. . .This is the finale of a five-game road trip for the Raptors. The trip includes wins over the New Orleans Pelicans (122-104), the Los Angeles Lakers (113-104) and the Portland Trail Blazers (114-106), with the lone loss coming this past Monday to Leonard and the Clippers (98-88). . .Siakam is averaging 30 ppg on this road trip. That includes a 44-point performance against the Pelicans and a 36-point output against the Blazers. . .In their last three games the Raptors’ sticky defense held the Clippers’ Leonard to 12 points, the Lakers’ LeBron James to 13 points and the Blazers’ Damian Lillard to nine points.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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