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Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview

Tuesday night features an East versus West showdown as the Boston Celtics (15-15) will square off with the Dallas Mavericks (14-15). Dallas will host this one at the American Airlines Center, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 P.M. Eastern.

The Celtics come into this one off of a disappointing loss on Sunday. They blew a 16-point halftime lead to eventually lose in overtime to the New Orleans Pelicans, 120-115, and currently sit in sixth in the Eastern Conference, 4.5 games behind the top spot. Boston would love to start finding some consistency and make a run at the East.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been pretty hot as of late, winning five of their last six. Tuesday night will be the second game of a back-to-back after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 102-92 on Monday. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavs with 29 points in the win, while Luka Doncic had 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The Celtics are slight favorites despite playing on the road. Boston is (-116) to win while the Mavericks’ moneyline sits at (-102). The spread features Dallas +1.

By The Numbers

Offensively, Dallas holds the edge. The Mavericks rank 16th in scoring, averaging 112.9 points per game, although they have averaged 126.3 over their last three. For Boston, they rank 22nd, averaging 110.8 (116.7 over their last three).

Defensively, it is all Boston. The Celtics are sixth in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 109.8 points per game. Dallas slips to 23rd, giving up an average of 114.6 points per game.

Boston Hoping To Find Rhythm

After their disappointing loss to the Pelicans on Sunday, the Celtics have now lost four of their last six. It is only thanks to a weak Eastern Conference that they find themselves in sixth place as they have struggled with consistency all season long.

To get back on track, the Celtics need their two biggest stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, to lead the team. This season, Tatum is averaging 26 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. For Brown, he is averaging 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals.

Part of their issue this season has also been injuries. Marcus Smart will be out again with a calf issue, and Kemba Walker has only played 15 games this season (although he is expected to play Tuesday). If they can get things straightened out, on paper, they have the talent to compete with most teams.

Dallas Looks To Stay Hot

Having won five of six, the Mavericks now sit just a game out of the eighth spot in a loaded West. While they are 7-8 at home this season, all five of their recent wins came at home. They will look to keep rolling on Tuesday.

Keep an eye on Kristaps Porzingis’ status. He is questionable with a back issue after sitting out Monday. Porzingis would provide a huge boost to the lineup if he can go, as he has averaged 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds this season.

Leading the way for the Mavericks is Luka Doncic. He is averaging 29.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.4 assists this season.Other contributors include Tim Hardaway Jr. (16.7 points, 3.2 rebounds), Josh Richardson (12.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists), and Jalen Brunson (11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists).

Taking Mavericks To Stay Hot

Generally, I lean away from teams playing the second game of a back-to-back, but I have to go with the hot hand in this one. The Mavericks have picked up their play as of late, and it has shown in the form of more notches in the win column.

Throw on top of that a Celtics team that has struggled on the road (7-10), and the Mavericks seem like a good bet. It doesn’t hurt that they are being spotted a point, but I will take the Mavs in what is basically a pick’em game.

FREE PICK: Dallas Mavericks (+1).

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