PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NBA TOTAL MASSACRE >> +$9614 YTD in NBA!
(NBA) Toronto vs. Dallas,
Total: 193.50 | -112.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 193.50 | -112.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 31-40 Dallas Mavericks have seen thir playoff chances shrink, after splitting the first two of a four-game homestand (lost to the Warriors, then beat the Clippers) that features four opponents ranked in the top-10 in the NBA in terms of winning percentage. Up next is tonight's game with the 43-29 Raptors, followed by the Thunder. Then, it's off on a five-game road swing. Dallas is 3 1/2 games out of the West's final playoff spot and things are not looking good. Meanwhile, the Raptors have pulled away and now have a six-game edge over the Hawks for the East's No. 4 seed and find themselves just one game back of the Wizards, who are currently trying to hold onto the No. 3 seed.
Toronto: The Raptors are doing just fine without star PG Kyle Lowry (22.8-4.8-6.9), going 10-5 since he was sidelined with a wrist injury. Toronto's won four in a row, getting another huge effort from DeMar DeRozan (27.2-5.4-3.8), when the Raptors rallied from 15 points down to earn a 101-84 win at Miami on Thursday. DeRozan had 40 points, reaching the 40-point mark in back-to-back games (had 42 two nights earlier against the Bulls). DeRozan was the only starter to score in double figures in the win at Miami, as guards Delon Wright and Norman Powell combined for 27 points off the bench. Powell is averaging 13.4 points in 22.5 minutes this month. Power forward Serge Ibaka will return to the lineup Saturday following a one-game suspension for a fight with Chicago's Robin Lopez on Tuesday.
Dallas: Head coach Rick Carlisle is transitioning into experimentation mode with a young and fluid roster with the team's playoff hopes fading. After being over-matched against the Warriors, the Mavs edged the Clipper 97-95, as Seth Curry led all scorers with 23 points and Nerlens Noel had eight points and 12 rebounds on Thursday. Noel got the start and it's significant to note that he is averaging 13.8 points on 63.4 percent shooting and 8.9 rebounds in nine starts this season between Philadelphia and Dallas. He may just be a quality performer in this league.
The pick: The Raptors have a real chance to catch Washington for the No. 3 seed and won't let a chance slip by here, against the "looking towards next year" Mavericks. Toronto has averaged 113.0 PPG its last three and with this low total, the Over is a 10* play.
Toronto: The Raptors are doing just fine without star PG Kyle Lowry (22.8-4.8-6.9), going 10-5 since he was sidelined with a wrist injury. Toronto's won four in a row, getting another huge effort from DeMar DeRozan (27.2-5.4-3.8), when the Raptors rallied from 15 points down to earn a 101-84 win at Miami on Thursday. DeRozan had 40 points, reaching the 40-point mark in back-to-back games (had 42 two nights earlier against the Bulls). DeRozan was the only starter to score in double figures in the win at Miami, as guards Delon Wright and Norman Powell combined for 27 points off the bench. Powell is averaging 13.4 points in 22.5 minutes this month. Power forward Serge Ibaka will return to the lineup Saturday following a one-game suspension for a fight with Chicago's Robin Lopez on Tuesday.
Dallas: Head coach Rick Carlisle is transitioning into experimentation mode with a young and fluid roster with the team's playoff hopes fading. After being over-matched against the Warriors, the Mavs edged the Clipper 97-95, as Seth Curry led all scorers with 23 points and Nerlens Noel had eight points and 12 rebounds on Thursday. Noel got the start and it's significant to note that he is averaging 13.8 points on 63.4 percent shooting and 8.9 rebounds in nine starts this season between Philadelphia and Dallas. He may just be a quality performer in this league.
The pick: The Raptors have a real chance to catch Washington for the No. 3 seed and won't let a chance slip by here, against the "looking towards next year" Mavericks. Toronto has averaged 113.0 PPG its last three and with this low total, the Over is a 10* play.
