The Toronto Raptors are riding a season-high three-game winning streak into action Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena against the Dallas Mavericks.
Toronto prevailed 130-122 over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night to claim its third straight win. The Raptors will now open a four-game homestand on Wednesday that includes three visiting teams from the Western Conference. Exactly 14 of their remaining 24 games will be played at home.
Bet on Mavericks vs. Raptors
DAL -2.5
TOR +2.5
The Mavericks have dropped consecutive games following a seven-game winning streak. Cleveland’s Max Strus drained a 60-foot three-pointer from well beyond midcourt to sink Dallas on Tuesday night with a 121-119 Cavaliers victory. Dallas boarded a flight immediately after the disheartening loss and has a tight turnaround for Wednesday’s contest.
Let’s take a look at the odds via bet365 for this matchup:
Mavericks vs. Raptors odds
| Mavericks Moneyline Odds | -140 |
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | +120 |
| Over/Under | 237.5 points (over -110, under -110) |
| Spread | Mavericks -2.5 (-110) |
| Time/Date | Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: Sportsnet One Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Mavericks (33-25 SU, 31-27 ATS, 28-30 o/u)
The Mavericks need to get back on track Wednesday after losing ground in the Western Conference playoff race. They currently sit eighth in the conference, but trail the Phoenix Suns by just a single game for the coveted sixth spot and the Sacramento Kings by a half-game for the seventh position. Ideally, the Mavs want to avoid the Play-In Tournament entirely and claim the sixth seed in the conference to guarantee a playoff spot. Dropping games to sub-.500 opponents, like the Raptors, simply just isn’t an option down the stretch.
Fatigue could definitely be a factor on Wednesday for the Mavs after Luka Doncic logged 41 minutes and Kyrie Irving nearly 39 minutes on Tuesday against the Cavs. Doncic, who turns 25 years old on Wednesday, recorded 45 points and 14 assists while finishing one rebound shy of a triple-double. Irving kicked in 30 points in the stunning last-second loss.
“You don’t flush it. We’re human,” Irving said after the game. “This one’s got to sting a little bit. You’ve got to let some emotion out. You’ve got to yell when you get to your hotel room or talk to whoever you’ve got to talk to, then you flush it out. There’s a process.”
About the Raptors (22-36 SU, 29-29 ATS, 30-28 o/u)
Winner, winner, pizza dinner? Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic promised his players a dinner on him once they accomplished the feat of stringing together three straight wins this season, but he said the players simply just want him to take them out for pizza instead of a more elegant dining experience.
Rajakovic should consider a separate reward for Scottie Burnes, who turned in a monster performance on Monday with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and five blocks. Barnes has now blocked a shot in 10 consecutive games, which is tied for the longest streak of his career.
As a team, the Raptors shot a very impressive 55.2% from the field Monday – improving to 13-9 when shooting 50% or better. They had six players score 13+ points for the eighth time this season and they’ve scored 120+ points in four straight games (Feb. 14-26).
Another player to keep an eye on is rookie Gradey Dick, who over his last nine games is averaging 12.9 points while shooting a scorching 59.2% from the field and 54.8% from beyond the arc.
The Raptors won the only previous meeting with the Mavericks this season in Dallas, 127-116, on Nov. 8. It’s important to note that their roster looked entirely different back in November, though, with Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, and Dennis Schroder still suiting up for the team.
Scottie Barnes to record a triple-double
+850
Injury concerns
For the Raptors, centre Jakob Poeltl (ankle) is questionable.
Guard Dante Exum (knee) is the only player on the Mavs’ injury report. He’s out indefinitely.
Betting trends
- The under is 9-1 in Toronto’s last 10 home games.
- Toronto is 4-0 ATS in its last four games.
- The under is 4-1 in the Mavericks’ last five games.
- The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
Player prop trends
- Irving has scored 29 points or more in four straight games while averaging 30.5 during that span. He’s +105 to score over 27.5 points.
- Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. is in a bit of a scoring funk. He’s -125 to record under 12.5 points and hasn’t hit that mark in six straight contests. However, Hardaway Jr. has been getting it done on the defensive ball recently, collecting at least one steal or block in six straight games and eight of his last 10. He’s -145 to record over 0.5 steals + blocks.
- Raptors forward RJ Barrett has turned the ball over two times or more in six straight games and nine of his last 10. He’s -190 to commit over 1.5 turnovers.
Wagers to consider
- Raptors team total over 117.5 points (-115): The Raptors are firing on all cylinders and that should continue against a fatigued Dallas squad on Wednesday. As previously stated, they’ve put up at least 120 points in four straight games and Dallas allows 117.5 points per game, which ranks 20th in the NBA.
- Scottie Barnes double-double: +110. Barnes is coming off a triple-double performance and he posted 14 points and 14 rebounds last time out against the Mavs. He’s posted a double-double in three straight games, and if you’re feeling really bold, put a sprinkle on Scottie to post another triple-double at +850.
