Raptors Spoil Mavericks Home Debut, Remain Undefeated

The Toronto Raptors continued their impressive start in the 2015-2016 NBA Season beating the Dallas Mavericks, 102-91 Tuesday. The Canadian team improved to 4-0, the best start in the franchise’s history.

The Raptors’ starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan led the way for Toronto in this one combining for 57 points, more than half the Raptors’ total scoring production, on an efficient 15-of-28 field goal shooting and a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line.

Lowry also had 10 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots. This was Lowry’s first double-double this season.

Toronto’s frontcourt also made huge contributions with Luis Scola finishing with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jonas Valanciunas posting 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

The Raptors led 31-25 at the end of the first quarter but the Mavericks battled back to grab the lead at halftime, 51-49. It was a close affair until the middle of the fourth and final quarter when Toronto unleashed a 16-5 run to end the game. The game was tied at 86-all with over five minutes left.

Dallas got 18 points and 7 rebounds from Dirk Nowitzki but he did not have much help offensively in the Mavericks’ home opener this season. Only Deron Williams (13 points) and Dwight Powell (10 points) finished in double-figure scoring for Dallas, which shot just 38.4 percent from the field overall (33-of-86 FGs).

Through Tuesday’s games, the Raptors find themselves in a rare position of being one of the three teams still undefeated this season, along with West powerhouse teams Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.

Toronto takes on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road Wednesday while Dallas stays at home facing the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans in their next two games.