The Toronto Raptors earned their pizza party after winning their third game in a row for the first time all season. So, what will head coach Darko Rajakovic have in store for his team if they can manage to win four straight?
The Raptors will have the opportunity to do that when they welcome Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks to town on Wednesday night.
The NBA odds say the Raps will have a shot to accomplish that feat, currently listed as short home underdogs against a Mavs team that is coming off a stunning defeat courtesy of a 60-foot buzzer-beater from Max Strus just last night.
Can Toronto keep the momentum rolling, or will Dallas bounce back? I break down this hoops action and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Mavericks vs. Raptors on February 28.
Mavericks vs Raptors odds
Mavericks vs Raptors predictions
It looks like the All-Star break was just what the Toronto Raptors needed, because they’ve come out of the other side roaring.
Toronto enters tonight’s matchup with the Dallas Mavericks having won three games in a row for the first time all season, with the latter two coming as 5.5-point road underdogs or greater. And a big reason for that is because the offense is humming again.
The Raptors are putting up 124.7 points per game on 51.1% shooting during this winning streak, which includes 41.8% from 3-point range.
Scottie Barnes has been stuffing the stat sheet, putting up lines of 19.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals over that stretch, while Immanuel Quickley is cooking averaging 22.3 points and shooting 53.8% from beyond the arc. It also helps that the trade deadline appears to have addressed the Raptors’ depth issues.
Now, what do the three Raptors opponents during this steak have in common? All (Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Indiana Pacers) were poor defensive teams, ranking 19th or worse in D-rating for the season.
And guess who falls into that same category? You’ve got it. The Mavs.
Dallas tried to patch up some of their defensive issues at the trade deadline as well. But so far, it’s not taking. The Mavs are 1-2 since coming out of the All-Star break, surrendering 122.3 points per game. Overall, they rank 21st in defensive rating and 20th in opponent-effective field goal percentage. Not great numbers when trying to slow down a team in an offensive groove.
That will be made all the harder considering Dallas will be playing the second half of a back-to-back. And it’s not just that the Mavs are playing their second game in as many nights, it’s the nature of last night’s loss. They were sure they had won the game against the Cavaliers before Max Struss heaved his miracle shot.
It was a real gut punch and could be extra deflating heading into this matchup.
Now, the idea of Luka Doncic going against a Toronto defense that has frankly not been good since the roster makeover, is enough to keep me away from the spread. But the Raptors’ team total is sitting at 116.5 for this game. They have proven they can get buckets against sub-par defensive teams and have put up at least 121 points in each of their last four games overall. I’m betting they make it five tonight.
My best bet: Raptors team total Over 116.5 (-125 at PointsBet)
Mavericks vs Raptors same-game parlay
Raptors team total Over 116.5
Scottie Barnes Over 8.5 rebounds
Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 11.5 points
Another place where the Raptors could get some buckets is from second-chance points. The Mavericks are not a strong team when it comes to the boards, ranking 28th in the NBA in rebounding rate.
Barnes has been doing it all, and he’s been a beast on the boards. His rebounding total is sitting at 8.5. The former Rookie of the Year is averaging 10 rebounds per game over his last six games and has pulled down nine or more boards five times over that stretch. Add the Over 8.5 to this same-game parlay.
And let’s round this SGP out with a Mavs player prop. Tim Hardaway Jr. has hit a bit of a slump, averaging just 8.3 points over his last six games. But the Raps are the type of team that can help him break out of that funk. Since the start of January, Toronto ranks next to last in defensive rating. I like Hardaway to get back on track here. Take the Over on his modest point total.
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!
Mavericks vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
The Raptors opened this NBA matchup as 3-point home underdogs, with the line bouncing back and forth between Toronto +3 and +2 as of early Wednesday afternoon.
That’s plenty of respect for a Raptors team that was having some real issues right up until the All-Star break. Because despite the fact the Mavericks are playing their second game in as many nights and enter this one losers of two in a row, generally speaking, they are trending in the right direction.
The Luka for MVP chatter is getting some steam, and the team had won seven in a row before this hiccup and are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall. I could see this game going a bunch of ways, so I’m staying away from the spread.
The total, on the other hand, is something I’d take a closer look at. That hit the board at 239 and has been bet down to 237.5 as of writing. But I think that number is low enough to consider the Over.
I already broke down why I think the Raptors can score here, and the only thing that will hold the Mavericks back here is maybe some tired legs. Otherwise, they rank eighth in offensive rating and eFG% and are facing the second-worst defensive since the calendar hit 2024.
Mavericks vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games as an underdog. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Raptors.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Mavericks vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Wednesday, February 28, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SN, Bally Sports SW-DAL |
Covers NBA betting tools
Mavericks vs Raptors 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.
