Dallas @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 26, 2017 ) Toronto 93, Dallas 98

The Toronto Raptors aim to match the franchise record of 11 consecutive victories when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Toronto's streak became the second best in team history on Thursday when it posted a 106-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

The red-hot Raptors broke the franchise mark for consecutive 100-point games by posting its 21st in a row while increasing its Eastern Conference lead to five games over the second-place Boston Celtics. "We know what's in front of us," Toronto coach Dwane Casey told reporters after Thursday's victory. "We understand that and we just got to make sure we are focused and professional." Dallas has endured a porous season but displayed some life lately by splitting its last eight games, and played well in Tuesday's 110-97 road victory over the New York Knicks. "We keep playing hard," veteran power forward Dirk Nowitzki told reporters. "There's obviously some teams that's going for some losses now, and we're one of the teams that still want to win and see where we end up in the draft."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), TSN4 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-46): Small forward Harrison Barnes poured in 30 points during the victory over the Knicks for his third outing of 30 or more this season. "Harrison was great from start to finish," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said afterward. "He had a good rhythm. We were going to him, teammates were finding him. He did a little bit of everything. I love the way he attacked and got to the free-throw line, made 3s, really great all around offensive game. He was real solid defensively as well." The 25-year-old Barnes has tallied 25 or more points in four of the past seven games and is averaging 22 points during the stretch.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (51-17): Toronto has an average margin of victory of 12.2 points during the winning streak, including five double-digit victories. All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points in the win over the Pacers, bouncing back from back-to-back poor games, and he was pleased with the way his squad recovered from an eight-point halftime deficit. "When things aren't going our way, we don't let the adversity get to us," DeRozan told reporters. "Once we got the lead, we understand when to push the ball, how to push the ball, get stops, get the momentum. We understand the small things that occur in a game and we try to use that to our advantage."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors have won seven of the past 10 meetings but the Mavericks prevailed in the most-recent matchup, 98-93 on Dec. 26 behind 20 points from G J.J. Barea.

2. Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 17 rebounds against the Pacers and has scored in double digits in a season-best nine straight games.

3. Dallas rookie PG Dennis Smith Jr. is just 8-of-31 shooting from the field over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Raptors 112, Mavericks 95