MAVERICKS (0-1) at TORONTO RAPTORS (1-1)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: ScotiaBank Arena, Toronto
TV: Bally Sports Southwest.
Radio: The Eagle 97.1 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: They want to get the evil taste out of their mouths after the 27-point whipping they endured in the season opener at Atlanta . . . In that game, they shot just 33.3 percent and 30 percent from 3-point range . . . Luka Dončić had trouble against the Hawks’ aggressive defense, making just 6-of-17 shots for 18 points. Expect him to come back with a stronger-than-usual effort . . . The Mavericks have traditionally had trouble in Toronto. They have lost their last six trips to Canada, including a 23-point thrashing last season . . . The Mavericks are trying to avoid their second consecutive 0-2 start to a season . . . The starting five shot just 6-for-24 from 3-point range against the Hawks, but the Mavericks actually were in great position at halftime, down by just seven points. But a 35-20 Atlanta blitz in the third quarter turned the game into a blowout. The forward tandem of Dorian Finney-Smith and Kristaps Porzingis was a combined 6-of-25 from the field and just 2-of-10 from 3-point range. Coach Jason Kidd said the looks were there and chalked it up to just one of those shooting nights that happens in a long season . . . The Mavericks will return to Dallas after this game for their regular-season home opener Tuesday against Houston.
About the Raptors: They will be playing without perhaps their best player as forward Pascal Siakim, who had surgery for a torn labrum and is expected to miss several months . . . The Raptors hope they have found a foundation piece in 6-9 rookie Scottie Barnes, who had 25 points and 13 rebounds Friday night in the Raptors’ 115-83 wipeout of the Celtics in Boston. He had 12 points and nine rebounds in his NBA debut Wednesday against Washington. Barnes was the fourth overall pick in the draft . . . Gary Trent Jr. had 20 points against the Celtics and second-year big man Precious Achiuwa had 15 points and 15 rebounds . . . Against the Washington Wizards in their opener on Wednesday, the Raptors were whipped at home 98-83 when they shot just 30.9 percent from the field . . . Their bounce-back win at Boston is exactly what the Mavericks hope to do on Saturday night . . . The Raptors still have good firepower, as the Celtics no doubt can attest. Fred Van Vleet had 11 points and nine assists in Boston and averaged 19.6 points and 6.3 assists last season . . . The Raptors are three years removed from the NBA championship, but have only a handful of players still remaining from that team. Gone are Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.
Twitter: @ESefko
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