Game: Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Celtics -3, Mavericks +3
Total: 230.5
Tonight’s game in Dallas is the perfect time for the Boston Celtics to get back on track. The Celtics will take on the Mavericks tonight after losing the first two games of its current four-game road trip. Boston gave up 123 points in a loss to Denver on New Year’s Day and 150 on Tuesday in a loss to Oklahoma City
Dallas is currently riding a seven-game winning streak, which is the second-longest active streak in the NBA behind Brooklyn’s 12-game run. The Mavs’ success is due, in part, to Western Conference Player of the Month Luka Doncic. Dallas hasn’t played since beating Houston 111-106 on Monday. Doncic finished with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists as the Mavs overcame an 18-point deficit in the third quarter. Since their championship season in 2011, when current head coach Jason Kidd served as the team’s point guard, the seven-game win streak is the Mavs’ longest.
Doncic is the first NBA player to finish a five-game stretch with at least 225 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists. Also, over his past 10 games, Mavs center Christian Wood has averaged 20.9 points and 8.6 rebounds. In all but one of those games, he blocked at least two shots.
Boston lost 150-117 to Oklahoma City on Tuesday despite the Thunder not having their best player, Shai Gilgeous. He was out due to an illness, but the Thunder shot well and became the third team in franchise history to score 150 points against the Celtics.
Brown and Jayson Tatum each had a game-high 29 points on Tuesday, but the Celtics were no match for the Thunder, who had seven players score in double figures, made 20 3-pointers, and shot 59.2 percent from the field. The Celtics still own the NBA’s best record despite losing five of their last nine games.
Dallas is the No. 4 team in the West heading into tonight. The Mavericks are 22-16 and will try to avoid a season sweep by the Celtics. The two teams played back on November 23. Boston defeated Dallas 125-112 at home, ending a four-game losing streak in the rivalry. The Celtics are 8-5 in the previous 13 meetings with Dallas.
For all their recent struggles, the Celtics are still 4-2 SU in their last six games. They are just 1-4 SU in their last five against Dallas and 3-9 SU in their last 12 on the road in Dallas. Boston has not been kind to bettors as they are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five on the road.
The Mavs are 3-4 ATS in their current seven-game winning streak. They are just 2-10 SU in their last 12 games against an Eastern Conference opponent. The Mavs are fifth in points allowed (110.3) yet they trend Over for the season. The Mavs’ O/U record this season is 22-16 and four of their last five games have gone Over the total.
Join Oskeim Sports today and save 20% on your first purchase at the online store!