Texan air succeeds for the Raptors! After their stunning victory in San Antonio, Scottie Barnes’ teammates followed up with a much more controlled success in Dallas (127-111). We can even call it a “small feat” since the Mavericks were undefeated in their gym since the start of the season.
Deprived of Derek Lively II, ill, the Mavericks had chosen to run, like a good Derrick Jones Jr. in the first quarter, but it is a style of play which corresponds better to the Raptors, and Dallas was overwhelmed by waves of fast play and open baskets. First it was Gary Trent Jr who woke up with 3-pointers at the start of the second quarter, supported by an opportunistic Chris Boucher (39-38 for Dallas).
Then Toronto lets loose and converts every lost ball. Tightened very closely, Luka Doncic has no easy basket, and opposite, it’s the opposite: OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam or even Scottie Barnes score near the circle. Result: the Raptors go in front, and at halftime, they lead 62-58 on yet another dunk from Anunoby, after yet another lost ball from the Mavericks.
Dennis Schroder masters the debates
Returning from the locker room, the pace calms down, the defenses take over, and Grant Williams wakes up the room with his 3-pointers (71-71). Dallas got back on track but the Raptors went 11-0 to take the lead (84-73). A symbolic action? This violation of 24 seconds at the end of the timeout on the Dallas side.
Behind, Pascal Siakam sanctions 3-points! The Raptors have control of the game, and their basketball is fluid and disciplined. Jakob Poeltl does a lot of good with his screens, and Scottie Barnes attacks the defense. As the bench is up to par, like Malachi Flynn, the score stabilizes (99-88).
In the 4th quarter, the awakening of Kyrie Irving is not enough because the Raptors have the answer to everything. Flynn at 3-points, Anunoby at the dunk, Schroder near the circle… Dallas can’t do it, and Dennis Schroder masterfully masters the end of the match to allow the Raptors to win 127-116. A success which brings them back to balance (4v-4d).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Dallas archi-dominated under the panels. The visual impression was not wrong, there was a world of athletic and physical difference between the Mavericks and the Raptors. The absence of Derek Lively II does not explain everything and, at the end, the Raptors scored 72 points in the paint, and they largely won the rebound battle: 50-38. Barnes and his teammates grabbed 15 offensive rebounds. Which means one in three Mavericks defensive rebounds went into the Raptors’ hands.
– Kyrie Irving cleared. Apart from the beginnings of the first and fourth quarters, we did not recognize the Kyrie Irving of the first matches. Physically dominated by Dennis Schroder, he appeared slow and behind. While Luka Doncic suffered against the Raptors’ multiple defenses, he was unable to add anything.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
