Raptors Cage

Game Day Preview: Dallas Mavs out for revenge against the Toronto Raptors

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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks are in town to take on the Toronto Raptors as they attempt to bounce back from an emotional loss at the hands of the Kings. The last time these teams met the Raptors came away with a convincing 102-91 victory behind the combined efforts of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. The Mavericks have been off since Friday after defeating the Grizzlies, so their vets have had plenty of rest.

This will be another tough test for the Raptors as they are still without two major front-court starters in DeMarre Carroll and Jonas Valanciunas. The positive on the horizon is that Valanciunas has been cleared to practice. The Mavericks are a veteran team with established winners and a great coach in Rick Carlisle; another slow start could end this game before we know it.

UPDATE: James Johnson has been ru


led out with an ankle sprain.

Cage’s Keys to the Game:

Get on the glass

The Mavericks are a top ten rebounding team in the NBA averaging 44.7 rebounds per game. When these two teams met last month, Valanciunas and Luis Scola made a huge impact with their efforts on the glass. The Mavericks have added additional length with the re-activation of Javale McGee. When he’s not busy making his weekly appearance on Shaqtin a Fool, McGee can be found somewhere in the paint looking for an offensive putback. Bismack Biyombo will have his hands full with what’s sure to be an interesting matchup at times in the middle.

Start strong

The slow starts the Raptors have been getting off to has truly been a nuisance. The Mavericks may come out a big lethargic after being off for three days. The Raptors need to use their home crowd to their advantage and get the Mavericks running early. The Mavericks may be able to keep up with the offensive pace, however attacking their transition defence and getting to the line will be where the Raptors carve their advantage.

 

Full team effort

The Raptors will really need to bring it tonight. The Mavericks are a team with players who like to compete so the Raptors can’t get caught up in trying to out-duel their individual matchup. This could be a game that’s decided by only a few possessions, so it’s important that players like Patrick Patterson and Cory Joseph are locked in and producing at their full capabilities.

X-Factor: Terrence Ross

Tonight’s X-factor is Raptors’ swingman Terrence Ross. Ross has scored in double figures in his last four games. He finally seems to have found his confidence as he has hit some big shots in his recent stretch. Things may have gotten out of hand without Lowry as Ross wasn’t able to get those high percentage looks created off Lowry’s penetration, however the Raptors floor general should be back and ready to dish.

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