Celtics vs. Mavericks Pick
Are the Boston Celtics going to win a 16th straight game and cover the spread tonight at the Dallas Mavericks? Game time is 8:30PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Celtics are listed as a 7.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 196 points.
Boston comes in with a 15-2 overall record and 14-2-1 ATS after a 110-99 victory at the Hawks, its 15th consecutive victory. Dallas is 3-14 overall and 5-12 ATS following a 111-79 home win against the Bucks. The Celtics won both meetings last season straight up and ATS. The over-under went 1-0-1.
In the victory at Atlanta, Kyrie Irving led the way with 30 points along with five assists and four rebounds. Jaylen Brown accounted for 27 points and four rebounds. Jayson Tatum had 14 points and seven rebounds, while Marcus Morris also scored 14. Boston was outscored 35-20 in the first quarter but rallied for the win by dominating the final three quarters.
Wesley Matthews recorded 22 points and eight assists in the Mavs’ win over Milwaukee. JJ Barea had 20 points and seven assists off the bench. Harrison Barnes added 18 points and seven rebounds. Dallas led 56-44 at halftime.
Boston is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings in Dallas. The over is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.
The Celtics are a team on a mission of destruction, a very unexpected development after losing Gordon Hayward for the season in the opener. But the development of Brown and Tatum, along with the leadership of Irving, has turned the Celtics into a premier team in the Eastern Conference once again. Don’t get too caught up in Dallas’ blowout over Milwaukee. This is not a very good Mavs team and Boston should have its way on the road.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS -7.5