Celtics Try To Continue Hot Streak Facing Mavericks

The Boston Celtics (4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS) have won each of their last two games since Sportsbook the season with a 2-5 SU and ATS skid. The Celtics will try to extend their win streak facing a tough road test this Saturday night when they visit the Dallas Mavericks (5-3 SU, 2-6 ATS).

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Mavericks opened as 5-point home favorites in this Saturday night matchup. The total in this one is set at 215.5 points. The UNDER is 9-3 in Dallas’s last 12 games.

Boston News & Notes

The Celtics were outscored 39-11 in a 128-114 loss at home to the Chicago Bulls on Monday, blowing a 19-point lead and falling to 2-5 SU and ATS on the season. This collapse, along with Marcus Smart’s critical comments of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, led the team to have a players only meeting that night. Early reports indicated that the meeting got emotional and was not productive.

But early returns on the court suggets otherwise. After allowing 119.7 points per game across their 2-5 start, the Celtics have allowed only 78.5 points per game over their current 2-0 SU and ATS run with wins of 92-79 as 7-point road favorites against the Orlando Magic and 95-78 as 6.5-point road underdogs against the Miami Heat. Boston will look to wrap up this three-game road trip with a perfect 3-0 record on Saturday.

Dallas News & Notes

On a night that Luka Doncic wasn’t at his best on the floor with 23 points and a 3-for-12 night from three-point range, Dallas’s supporting cast picked up the slack to help lead the Mavericks to a 109-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson led the team in scoring and also had 10 rebounds in the win and Tim Hardaway Jr. also added 23 points and six rebounds.

With the win, Dallas improved to 5-2 SU over its last seven games. But the Mavericks also failed to cover the spread as 2-point road favorites and are just 2-6 ATS on the season despite their recent success in the standings. Kristips Porzingis, who has been out since October 26 with a back injury, practiced with the team on Friday and is listed as questionable to return to the lineup against the Celtics.

How Boston Will Cover

Boston obviously won’t hold teams to under 80 points a game all season long, but this is a Celtics team that has finished in the top three in the NBA in scoring defense twice in the last four seasons. The group’s renewed focus on great team defense should give Boston a good chance at keeping this one close and covering the spread.

How Dallas Will Cover

Luka Doncic is the type of scorer that rarely has two off-nights offensively in a row. Doncic having a big game would go a long way in helping Dallas cover the spread. Getting a healthy Kristaps Porzingis back wouldn’t hurt, either.

Computer Pick: Celtics +4.5

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