It’s a meeting of polar opposites when Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors visit Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
The Raptors have relied on strong play at the defensive end of the floor early on this season but their inconsistent shooting has definitely held them back.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have come flying out of the gates starting the season 6-1 thanks to their high-octane offense led by some next-level performances from Doncic.
Do the Raps have a shot of slowing down the Mavs? And if they can’t, do they have any hope of keeping up? I break down the NBA odds and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Mavericks on November 8.
Raptors vs Mavericks odds
Raptors vs Mavericks predictions
The Toronto Raptors have two things going for them through the early part of the season. Scottie Barnes appears to be taking a third-year leap and the effort at the defensive end of the floor has been excellent.
Unfortunately, that may not be enough against Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks who rank fourth in offensive rating, third in effective field goal percentage, and fifth in scoring offense putting up 120.7 points per game. This means it will be difficult for a Raptors team that ranks 25th in offensive rating to keep up in this one.
That doesn’t mean the Raptors won’t have some edges in this one. Particularly on the boards. Dallas is a traditionally big team. Heck, I know Doncic is special, but their point guard is their leading rebounder. So it should come as no surprise that the Mavericks rank 26th in the NBA when it comes to rebounding rate and 16th in opponent rebounds per game.
Now, Scottie is seeing some elevated prop numbers due to his all-around awesomeness to begin the year. So, let’s instead focus on one of his teammates who is seeing a little more value.
It looks like the writing is on the wall for Pascal Siakam when it comes to his future with the Raptors. The team’s offense is clearly revolving around Barnes and Siakam just doesn’t seem to fit as well in Darko Rajakovic’s system.
That said, Siakam is still a very good all-around player in his own right and has always put in solid work on the glass during his career. He is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game this season and his rebounding total is on the board at 6.5 for this matchup. Siakam has gone over that number three times this season but this juicy matchup has me betting the Over.
My best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 6.5 rebounds (-120 at PointsBet)
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Raptors vs Mavericks same-game parlay
Siakam Over 6.5 rebounds
Poeltl Over 21.5 points + rebounds
Barnes Over 0.5 blocks
Our same game parlay, as always, begins with my best bet, which for this matchup is Siakam to go Over his rebounding total of 6.5. But Siakam won’t be the only big who could be productive in this one.
Raptors center Jakob Poeltl has been putting in work at both ends of the floor this season. Poeltl is averaging 10.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season. Not only should Poeltl grab his fair share of rebounds in this great matchup against the Mavs, he should do some scoring as well as the Mavs rank 26th in opponent points in the paint.
I will be betting Poeltl to get a double-double as well tonight, but that’s not usually a bet you can include in a same-game parlay. So instead, let’s add Poeltl to go Over 21.5 points + rebounds in this matchup. A number he has eclipsed in three of his last four games.
And let’s keep this SGP Raptors-centric. Scottie Barnes’ breakout has been so impressive because of his effort at both ends of the floor. He’s using his length and athleticism to alter a lot of shots this season and its resulting blocks. A lot of them. Barnes is averaging 2.1 blocks per game and has at least one in six of the team’s seven games. Let’s close this out with him to get another.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Bet on Raptors basketball at PointsBet Canada
Looking to bet on some Raptors action? Join PointsBet, one of Canada’s favourite books for new bettors!
Raptors vs Mavericks spread and Over/Under analysis
The Raptors opened this matchup as 5.5-point road underdogs against the Mavericks and have actually seen the early money, moving the line to 4.5 as of early Wednesday afternoon.
Bettors are obviously respecting the Raptors defense here. Which is warranted. Toronto ranks sixth in defensive rating, and second in both opponent effective field goal percentage and opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
But the only other top offense the Raps have faced so far this season has been the Philadelphia 76ers, and they lost both of those games, looking fairly overmatched in the process. And the Mavericks certainly qualify as a top offense.
Doncic and Irving have been working much better together to start this season. They are 6-1 on the backs of an offense that ranks sixth in offensive rating and fourth in effective field goal percentage. Doncic has been great. He’s averaging 31.6 points on nearly 50% shooting while grabbing 9.6 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.
It’s just hard to believe the Raps with their 25th-rated offense could keep up if they aren’t able to slow down the Mavs. I would have a slight lean to the home team here.
When it comes to the total, it hit the board at 223 and the Over has been hit pretty hard moving the number up four points already to sit at 227. The thinking here is that Toronto has been a little better shooting the basketball of late while Dallas is still middling on defense ranking 19th in defensive rating.
I would have a very slight toward the Over here, even at the new number. But the Raptors inconsistent offense will keep me away.
Raptors vs Mavericks betting trend to know
The Over is 5-2 through the Mavericks first seven games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Mavericks.
Raptors vs Mavericks game info
| Location: | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX |
| Date: | Wednesday, November 8, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Raptors vs Mavericks latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
