Public Loves Mavericks
Toronto, ON – Coming off their worst shooting game of the season, the Dallas Mavericks can at least take comfort in their ongoing ability to get second shots.
On Wednesday night, they’ll open a three-game road trip against a Toronto Raptors team that’s been outrebounded 13 straight times.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Mavericks -1 point spread favorites for Wednesday’s game against the Raptors. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 96% of more than 95 bets for this game have been placed on the Mavericks -1.
Dallas (13-10) begins a stretch of six of seven on the road following a 98-88 loss to Denver on Monday night. The Mavericks hit a season-low 34.9 percent from the field as they finished their longest homestand of the season at 5-2.
Dirk Nowitzki posted his 10th double-double in 14 games with 27 points and 10 rebounds, but was 3-of-9 as Dallas shot 28.9 percent (6-of-25) in the first half. The Mavericks scored a season-low 15 first-quarter points and went 10-of-30 from 3-point range for the game.
"They do a lot of switching,” said point guard Jason Terry, who averaged 20.0 points and 3.5 assists as Dallas and Toronto split two meetings in 2007-08. "That defense shouldn’t be effective against us. And our defense was horrendous."
Nowitzki, who averaged 31.9 points and 10.1 rebounds during the homestand, had just 13 points in his last road game versus Toronto – a 92-76 loss on Dec. 12, 2007.
While the Mavs had a bad night shooting the ball, they continued their outstanding work on the boards. Six of Erick Dampier’s 15 rebounds came on the offensive end for Dallas, which outrebounded Denver 48-45.
Dallas, among the league leaders with 45.9 rebounds and 11.9 offensive boards per game, has outrebounded 15 of 23 opponents this season.
Toronto (10-14), meanwhile, has been outrebounded in 19 of 24 games.
"That’s our main Achilles’ heel right now," forward Chris Bosh said following the Raptors’ 94-87 loss to New Jersey on Monday. "We’re giving up multiple shots. For the game, they shot 38 percent. If I told you we held a team to 38 percent, you would ask me how much we won by."
Bosh, among the NBA leaders with 9.8 rebounds per game, had 17 points and nine boards against the Nets. Toronto, though, was dominated 54-38 on the glass as it lost its second straight. The Raptors are 29th in the league in rebounding with 38.3 per game and last in offensive boards at 8.3.
Although it held New Jersey to 38.1 shooting, Toronto gave up 26 second-chance points as the Nets grabbed 18 offensive rebounds.
While Dallas is looking to bounce back after scoring its fewest points since a 100-81 loss to Cleveland on Nov. 3, the Raptors will also be trying to regain their shooting touch. Leading New Jersey by seven after three quarters, Toronto missed its first 14 shots in the fourth as it lost for the seventh time in nine games.
"It happens sometimes," said Bosh, averaging 24.2 points and 11.0 rebounds in his last six games versus Dallas. "It is rare but rare things happen. When that does happen, we can’t let that dictate the way we play defense.”
Dallas’ defense has been another of the team’s strengths this season, but that wasn’t the case against the Nuggets. The Mavs are among the league leaders in field-goal percentage defense at 43.6, but Denver shot 46.2 percent from the floor and went 10-of-19 from 3-point range.
Josh Howard returned and scored seven points in 14 minutes after missing 11 games with a sprained left ankle.
Prior to a loss last season, the Mavericks had won three straight in Toronto.
Did you like this article? Subscribe to our Basketball news feed for the fastest updates delivered right to you – Click here to Subscribe
Posted: 12/17/08 12:12AM ET