Raptors at Mavericks
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks can take comfort in the fact that
they are not the only potential NBA title contender to get off to a
rough start this season. Once they‘re done with that, they are going to
need to find a way to turn it around. Where last season‘s team excelled
using a team defensive concept, this season’s edition has allowed their
first three opponents to shoot 52 percent from the field combined. The
Mavericks allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to shoot 59 percent
Thursday, including a 3-pointer by Kevin Durant at the buzzer in a
104-102 setback. Dallas will try for its first win when it hosts the
Toronto Raptors on Friday. The Raptors are rebuilding under new coach
Dwayne Casey, who is trying to coax a defensive mindset out of players
such as Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon - never known for their
prowess on that end. So far, it seems to be working as Toronto has held
each of its first two opponents to 40 percent shooting.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (1-1): Toronto took its opener 104-96 on the road
at Cleveland but fell at home 90-85 to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
DeMar DeRozen scored 16 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter but the
Raptors could not overcome 19 turnovers. Toronto is averaging 28 assists
through the first two games, getting strong play both from Calderon and
backup Jerryd Bayless at the point guard position. Calderon has a
17-to-4 assist-to-turnover ratio.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (0-3):
After getting blown out in its first two games, Dallas finally put
together a challenge Thursday, at least offensively. In a rematch of the
Western Conference finals from last spring, the Mavericks came back
from five points down in the final minute to take the lead with 1.4
seconds left when Vince Cater hit a 3-pointer. But, as had been the
problem all night, the Mavericks could not get the stop they needed, and
Durant got off a clean look at the buzzer.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1.
Bargnani joined Vince Carter and Chris Bosh as the only players in
franchise history to score 20 or more points in four straight home
openers.
2. The teams split two meetings last season, with each winning on the road.
3. Dallas was called for four technical fouls Thursday.