Raptors vs. Mavericks: Wednesday, November 7th

[Matt52]

This is likely a little premature since the OKC game isn't even played yet, but it is tomorrow, and this is newsworthy, in my opinion:

DALLAS (AP) -- Mavericks forward Shawn Marion will miss at least three games with a sprained left knee ligament.

The team said Tuesday the four-time All-Star was a scratch for Wednesday night's home game against Toronto and won't make a two-game trip to New York and Charlotte.

The 34-year-old Marion will be re-evaluated next week. He sprained his left medial collateral ligament in the third quarter of the Mavericks' 114-91 win over Portland on Monday night.

Marion is averaging 8.0 points and 9.0 rebounds through four games this season. He played at least 75 games in nine of his first 12 seasons and has career averages of 16.4 points and 9.2 rebounds.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/scoreboard?date=20121107

The Mavs will have tonight off so the Raps are playing them on the 2nd night of a back to back.

Dirk is still out.

Mavs are 3-1 with the lone loss to Utah and victories over LAL, Portland, and Charlotte.

*EDIT*

Toronto Star/Doug Smith preview:

GAME DAY

AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER

TIPOFF: 8:30 p.m.

TV: TSN2; RADIO: FAN590

PROBABLE STARTERS

Toronto: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Andrea Bargnani, Jonas Valanciunas; Dallas: Darren Collison, O.J. Mayo, Vince Carter, Elton Brand, Brandan Wright.

KEY MATCHUP

Bargnani vs. Brand

With a decided height and quickness advantage, it might be a time for Bargnani to have a breakout game since Brand’s had difficulty guarding the 7-footer in the past. And with Brand not a focal point of Dallas’s offence, Bargnani won’t be a key factor defensively.

NEED TO KNOW

Mavs are still without the injured Dirk Nowitzki (knee) but are off to a 3-1 start, they shot 62 per cent from the field in a Monday home win over Portland … Ex-Raptor Shawn Marion will miss at least three games with a sprained left knee ligament and will likely be replaced in starting lineup by another ex-Raptor, Vince Carter, who plays a key role off the bench … Second time former Mavs assistant Dwane Casey will coach against his old boss Rick Carlisle … Mavs’ centres Wright and Chris Kaman shooting a combined 81 per cent from the field so far this season … Toronto has lost 13 of 16 games on the road against the Mavs … Game ends grind of four games in five nights for Toronto.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basket...y-game-preview