The Mavs will try to make it three in a row tonight and complete their first above-.500 road trip of the season. The last meeting with the Raptors, the Mavs completed a 24-point comeback at the American Airlines Center. It tied for the second biggest comeback in franchise history with a 24-point comeback against the Raptors on Feb. 25, 2006. It will be the Mavs' final meeting with the Raptors this season.
An all too familiar scene
In case you hadn't heard, T.J. Ford was carted off the court for the second time in his brief career after a flagrant foul from Atlanta rookie Al Horford sent him crashing to the floor last night. In his rookie year in 2004, Ford suffered a spinal cord injury that caused him to miss the entire 2004-05 season. He's in stable condition and has displayed some mobility, but his status remains a question mark. With Ford out, the Raptors are missing a major play-making threat and the table-setter for the rest of the team. Expect to see a lot more of Jose Calderon, who is a more-than-competent backup.
Moon rises, sets
Rookie Jamario Moon came out of nowhere to start performing very well for the Raptors. He went through a six-game stretch where he averaged 10 points and 10.1 rebounds and shot 53 percent from the floor. He has fallen off in his last three games and is averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds in his last three games. When he plays well, the Raptors get a big unexpected boost, but his inconsistency has been frustrating.
Bargnani is back
Second year forward-center Andrea Bargnani returned to the Raptors lineup Tuesday after missing four games with a hyper-extended knee. He was scoreless with 2 rebounds in limited playing time. Either the Raptors are bringing him back slowly or he isn't 100 percent. It's doubtful the Raptors would risk bringing him back early if he wasn't fully healthy, so you can probably expect him to get back into the full swing of things tonight against the Mavs. He lit the Mavs up for 20 points in their last meeting, and the Raptors will likely be looking to capitalize on the Mavs lack of three-point defense again.
Video evidence
- Take that, youngster.
- Some guys just don't want to be dunked on.
- That's how you dunk the ball.
Random useless fact
During the 1995-96 season, the Chicago Bulls set the NBA record with a win-loss total of 72-10. The 21-61 expansion Raptors handed the Bulls one of their 10 losses.
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