Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

All the talk surrounding the Dallas Mavericks in the last week has been about trades and things don’t get any easier on Thursday, when they travel to the home of the reigning champs.

Luka Doncic’s shock move to the Lakers has left Mavericks fans wondering what happens next, while the current roster have to try and keep their playoff hopes on track.

Up next are the Boston Celtics in the TD Garden, with the defending champions going into the matchup high on confidence and on a four-game winning run.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics betting picks and predictions

Boston Celtics -8 Alternative Spread (-160)

Joe Mazzulla’s men go into Thursday’s clash fresh from a statement win, following a 105-112 success over the Eastern Conference leaders, Cleveland Cavaliers, on Wednesday.

The Celtics’ seven-point victory in Ohio shows they are still the team to beat, as they look to claim a 19th Championship in 2025.

In stark contrast, Dallas have slipped to eighth in the West having lost their last three and their star man, Doncic.

The trade with the Lakers, which saw Anthony Davis move in the opposite direction, has been the main focus of the league, if not the sporting world.

The Slovenian superstar has been talked up by many as the best player in the NBA and to lose a key figure like that, at this stage of the season, is a massive setback for the Mavericks.

Davis, a 2020 champion with LA, brings a huge skill set to the camp, but can he fill the gap left by Doncic?

The Mavericks might not get to see the 10-time NBA All Star on the court yet, with the 21-year-old listed as ‘questionable’ due to an abdominal strain.

A two-point loss to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday highlighted the fragility of Jason Kidd’s side, who were crushed 144-101 by the Cavs earlier this week.

The teams’ two results against Cleveland suggest the Celtics should be able to rack up another ‘W’, even if the Mavericks can call upon Davis.

It’s also worth noting that Boston are on a five-game winning run against the Mavs, which includes a 122-107 victory in Dallas only last month.

Jayson Tatum Over 25.5 Points (-125)

Boston sit sixth in the league for points scored, averaging 117.2 per game, and Jayson Tatum has been their star man in and around the paint.

The six-time NBA All Star averages 26.8 points per game in 48 appearances this term and top-scored for the Celtics in their last two games.

Tatum has fired 22 points or more in his last four games and was the main man when these two sides met in Texas, scoring 24 in Boston’s 122-107 success.

He also enjoyed himself in this fixture last season, scoring 32 as the Celtics cruised to a 110-138 victory at the TD Garden.

The Small forward topped that tally in the 2022/23 clash with the Mavericks on his home court, when he fired 37 points and 13 rebounds as the Celtics ran out 112-125 winners.

Kyrie Irving Under 4.5 Assists (+120)

In the absence of Doncic, Kyrie Irving has tried to step up and deliver for the Mavs, scoring 34 in the defeat to the 76ers.

With the former Celtics man shouldering the responsibility in scoring points, his assists have dropped in the last few games.

The 32-year-old has averaged 4.8 assists in 40 appearances, but he has been under this target in his last two games.

Irving claimed five assists in last month’s meeting at the American Airline Center, but it will be a totally different story in Boston.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics odds

Dallas Mavericks	+375 ML
Boston Celtics	-500 ML
Spread	BOS Celtics -10.0
Total Points	O/U 229.5

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics player props

Player Points

Kyrie Irving (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 25.5
Jaylen Brown (BOS Celtics)	O/U 22.5
Jrue Holiday (BOS Celtics)	O/U 9.5
Kristaps Porzingis (BOS Celtics)	O/U 19.5
Jayson Tatum (BOS Celtics)	O/U 25.5
Derrick White (BOS Celtics)	O/U 14.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.