Celtics vs Mavericks Prediction
The Mavericks are still missing Dereck Lively II, Max Christie, and Daniel Gafford, while the Celtics don’t have a single player listed on the injury report.
The Mavericks will be hoping to get back in the win column with an upset road win here, but they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, while the Celtics should be fully rested as they haven’t played since Wednesday, and they expect to have Paul George back in action after he sat out the last game with an illness. Maybe the Mavericks can keep the game close in the first half, but once fatigue sets in, I think the Celtics pull away for the big win and cover at home.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
The Dallas Mavericks have been in pretty good form as they’ve won six of their last 10 games overall, but they are now looking to snap a two-game skid after getting trampled by the Cavaliers in a 127-117 road defeat last night. Kyrie Irving drained seven 3-pointers to lead the way with 34 points, six rebounds and five assists; Cooper Flagg added 18 points with eight rebounds and five assists, while Caleb Martin chipped in with 15 points on six of seven shooting.
As a team, the Mavericks shot just 41 percent from the field and 14 of 44 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start with 33 points in the first quarter, but they lost their focus and got burned by 38-20 in the second quarter to trail by as many as 22 points. The Mavericks poured in 64 points in the second half, but they had too much ground to make up.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have been on fire as they’ve won 10 of their first 12 games, and they are now riding a five-game win streak after outlasting the Raptors in a 98-93 road win on Wednesday. Jayson Tatum led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists; Derrick White added 19 points with seven assists and four blocks, while Neemias Queta chipped in with 11 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
As a team, the Celtics shot just 41 percent from the field and 14 of 40 from the 3-point line as they were sleepwalking to start the game and woke up behind by 22 points, but they chipped away at the deficit and then restricted the Raptors to just 13 points in the fourth quarter to pull off the impressive comeback victory.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last 19 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Celtics have won each of their last eight home games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 15 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last six games as favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four night games at TD Garden following a road win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Mavericks’ last seven road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Celtics’ last seven home games following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (103.1).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (35.6).
- Eight different Mavericks players have scored 20+ points in a game this season- the most in the league.
- The Mavericks are one of three teams to rank in the top-10 for both steals and blocks per game this season.