A determined J.J Barea scored 20 points to lead the Mavs to a desperately needed 98-93 win over the Toronto Raptors.
This win gives the Mavericks double-digit wins on the season. It also ended a lengthy Raptors win streak.
Coming into the game, the Raptors had a six-game win streak. They were also 10-1 in games in December coming into the game per ESPN Staff Writer, Tim MacMahon.
The Mavs’ defense suffocated the Raptors. The Raptors were held to a new season low in shooting percentage. Raptors’ star DeMar DeRozan was particularly impacted by the Mavs’ stingy defensive effort as he finished with eight points (3 of 16); which equated to an abysmal 19 percent from the floor.