Playing really good games against really good teams has become something of a trademark for the Raptors this season.
So, too, has falling just short of late.
A glaring defensive lapse in the final minute led to a Luka Doncic three-pointer that led the Dallas Mavericks to a 102-98 win over Toronto in another tremendous effort by the Raptors that just fell short.
It was the fourth tight game the Raptors have played against a top tier or red-hot team in a week. And after narrow losses to Phoenix and Miami and a win in Milwaukee, Toronto lost to a Dallas team that had won nine of its past 10 games.