Dallas Mavericks vs. Toronto Raptors Odds, Picks and Preview - 10/23/2021

by Chuck Sommers

Friday, Oct 22, 2021
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to watch: TSN, Bally Sports Southwest

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Mavericks -4; Mavs -165, Raptors +145
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL

Season record
Mavericks: 0-1
Raptors: 0-1 (entering Friday)

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Mavericks - Raptors preview and analysis


Recent form
Mavericks: lost 113-87 at Hawks on Thursday
Raptors: lost 98-83 vs. Wizards on Wednesday

So, that was not the start the Dallas Mavericks were hoping for in the Jason Kidd era

That's why they play 82 games, I suppose?

That quick turnaround will need to be imposed for this Mavericks group after getting run out of State Farm Arena on Thursday in a 26-point annihilation at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks in their season opener.

But there's a good chance that happens on Saturday when the Mavericks travel up north to face a banged-up Toronto Raptors team that still does not have Pascal Siakam and no go-to guy to rely on.

In the first Mavericks game not coached by Rick Carlisle in 13 years, the Mavericks shot 33.3 percent from the floor and went 13 of 43 from 3-point range, while only attempting 13 free throws in the loss to Atlanta.

It wasn't the case mostly of Luka Doncic trying to carry the carcass of this team past the finish line. Even Doncic, the presumptive MVP favorite this year, struggled by going 6 of 17 for 18 points along with 11 rebounds and seven assists. He also led with five turnovers.

"I thought guys got great looks. They just didn't go in for us," said Kidd.

Added Porzingis, "We've got to find that balance so we're not clogging up the paint. Everybody has got to find their most comfortable spot."

Porzingis is one of those who needs to find their spots after finishing with just 11 points and five rebounds. Eyes are on him to produce this season as he enters another year of being a max contract player with Dallas.

But for a Kidd-coached team that preached defense all preseason, the Hawks shot 48 percent from the floor and made 15 of 35 3-point attempts. Six players were in double figures led by a game-hihg 20 points from Cam Reddish in 21 minutes. All-Star guard Trae Young had 19 points but also had 14 assists.

It's safe to throw this game in the toilet for Dallas considering how good Atlanta is capable of being this year. They'll get a chance to take frustrations out on Toronto, coming off a 98-83 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

Toronto's matchup with the Mavs will be the second game of a back-to-back. The Raptors are at the Boston Celtics on Friday.

"We weren't really executing much of anything at either end," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said after his group, too, had a similar shooting night on Wednesday.

The Raptors, minus Siakam for at least another month, shot 30.9 percent while having only three players hit double figures. Fred VanVleet and this year's No. 4 overall pick Scottie Barnes led the way with 12 points, while OG Anunoby had only 11 points on 3 of 17 shooting. Barnes also had a game-high six turnovers in his first NBA action.

Prediction


You have to believe this will be a work-in-progress for the Mavericks, but I'd also expect Doncic to take hold of the game after the clunker on Thursday. Doncic doesn't go on a slump often, and I'd expect him to dominate as he does for a much better Game 2 and a Dallas win. Mavericks by 16

Betting trends


Dallas is 15-5 in its last 20 when the total is between 210 - 219.5 on the road.

The Mavericks are 19-8 the past three seasons off a road loss.

Dallas is 63-30 since 1992 off a road blowout loss of 20 points or more.

The Raptors are 6-12 in their last 18 as a home dog.

Toronto is 9-9 in its last 18 against Southwest Division teams.

Projected starting lineup


Mavericks:
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF:
Dorian Finney-Smith
PF:
Kristaps Porzingis
C:
Dwight Powell

Raptors:
PG: Goran Dragic
SG: Fred VanVleet
SF:
OG Anunoby
PF:
Chris Boucher
C:
Precious Achiuwa

Statistical leaders


Mavericks:
Points: Luka Doncic -- 18.0
Rebounds: Luka Doncic -- 11.0
Assists: Luka Doncic -- 7.0
Blocks: Kristaps Porzingis -- 2.0
Steals: Dorian Finney-Smith -- 2.0

Raptors:
Points: Fred VanVleet -- 12.0
Rebounds: OG Anunoby -- 10.0
Assists: Goran Dragic -- 4.0
Blocks: Chris Boucher -- 2.0
Steals: Gary Trent Jr. -- 3.0

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Dallas Mavericks - Toronto Raptors prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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