Get the libations, gravy and tryptophan out of your system, because it’s time to ball. The league’s two best offenses are going head-to-head tonight in Toronto. Zach Lowe has already done a much better job of describing the brilliance of the Maverick’s pick-and-roll heavy offense than I ever could so I encourage you to check out this Grantland piece before the game.
Fortunately, however, the Mavs are in a funk. Over their last three games they lost to a Dwight Howard-less Rockets team, the Pacers at home and survived a Carmelo-less Knicks team in overtime. During that stretch they’re shooting 43% from the field and an abysmal 20% on 90 three-point attempts.
Keys to the Game:
- Keep the Friday night magic alive: Toronto fans are even more electric than usual on Friday nights and the Raps have responded with two resounding victories. The first win was a 19-point trouncing of the Wizards and the second was a 42-point bludgeoning of Milwaukee.
- Attack the offensive glass: The Mavericks are the second worst team in the league in defensive rebounding percentage. The opportunity for second chance points is there and should be exploited.
- Watch out for the Hammer Brothers: Pick-and-roll defense is going to decide this game. The Mavs are first in the league in two-point field goal percentage. A lot of this comes from easy baskets at the rim by way of Brandan Wright and Tyson Chandler, who are shooting a downright filthy 125-for-157 in the restricted area this season. Opponents are shooting 59.7% in the restricted area against the Raptors so far this season – this puts them at 14th in the league.
- Be Ready to Play: The Mavericks are embarrassed after losing to the hapless Pacers and struggling past the Knicks in overtime. They’re going to want to use this game against the best team in the league to prove a point.
- Corner Snipers, it’s your time: The Mavericks are the 2nd worst team in the league at defending the right corner three and the 3rd worst at defending the left side. Lou Williams has been the league leader in left corner threes so far, where he’s shooting an amazing 10-13 from the field. Terrance Ross and 2Pat are the team’s best shooters from the right corner – combining to shoot 9-of-18 on the season.
- The Mavs could be thin at point guard: Raymond Felton will not play and Jameer Nelson (back spasms) is listed as questionable.
Per @MavsPR, @dallasmavs guard Jameer Nelson (back spasms) is questionable for Friday's game at Toronto. #DALatTOR
— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) November 27, 2014
- Dirk’s Mid-Range Game: The big German is on the back end of his career but he’s still a lethal mid-range shooter. On the season he’s shooting 54.4% from the mid-range area and leading the league in mid-range field goals made. The Raptors are a bottom-five team in opponent mid-range field goal percentage so this is something to watch out for.
- Wing defense: Chandler Parsons hasn’t exactly gotten off to a roaring start as a Maverick but he’s nevertheless a big, offensively talented wing who could give the Raptors problems. At the very least we know Papa Cuban has his back.
