The Dallas Mavericks (34-25) will face the Boston Celtics (46-12) in the final game of the season series. The Celtics won Game 1, 119-110, on January 22nd. Dallas defeated the Toronto Raptors on the road, ending their losing streak at two. The Mavericks are currently eighth in the Western Conference, just 0.5 games behind the fifth-place Phoenix Suns. Boston lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in its first game in February, but has since won nine straight, most recently defeating the Philadelphia 76ers by 18 points. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA, leading the Eastern Conference by 7.5 games. Tipoff is set for 7:30pm EST from TD Garden.
Mavericks recover from heartbreaking loss
Dallas suffered a blowout loss to Cleveland on Tuesday, but bounced back with a 136-125 win over the Raptors. Luka Doncic celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday with his 11th triple-double of the season. Doncic had 30 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving scored 29 points, and P.J. Washington had 23 points and six rebounds. Daniel Gafford had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 points, four rebounds and four assists. The Mavericks shot 54.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three, but allowed the Raptors to shoot 46.9 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three.
Dallas is averaging 118.7 PPG thanks to the electric duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic is averaging 34.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 9.6 APG, while Irving is averaging 25.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 5.3 APG. The Mavericks also rank third in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game and eighth in fast break points per game. Dallas allows 117.5 PPG and allows their opponents to shoot 48.2% from the field and 36.8% from three. Overall, the Mavericks rank him 6th in the NBA in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating.
Celtics maintain home advantage
Boston defeated the 76ers 117-99, winning their ninth straight game. Jaylen Brown powered the 76ers by scoring 31 points on 11-for-14 shooting and grabbing six rebounds. Jayson Tatum had 29 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, nearing a double-double. Kristaps Porzingis had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Celtics shot 52.7 percent from the field but just 22.7 percent from three. Boston held the 76ers to 39.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. The Celtics outrebounded the 76ers by 28 points, outscored them 28-10 in fast break points, and outscored them in the paint 64-42.
The Celtics are averaging 120.7 ppg this season, ranking first in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game, fourth in 3-point percentage, and eighth in field goals made per game. . All five starters are averaging at least 13 PPG, led by Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 27 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 4.9 APG. Boston has allowed just 110.2 ppg this season and ranks second in the NBA in blocks per game and opponent field goal percentage. Overall, the Celtics rank him No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rating and No. 3 in defensive rating.
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evaluation:
The Celtics have been dominant all season, especially at home, due to their high-level play on both ends of the floor. This is a matchup between two of the NBA's best offensive teams and will feature some of the NBA's most skilled players. The big difference between these two teams is how they play on the defensive side. The Celtics held the Mavericks to just 110 points in their first matchup, cementing their status as the NBA's top defensive team. The Celtics' starting lineup is one of the best in the NBA in terms of defensive ratings, with great size, speed, and length. The Celtics can throw a lot of bodies at Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and will look to have some of the Mavericks' role players take them down.
The Celtics will also take advantage of a Mavericks team that has struggled defensively this season, giving up a ton of points to opponents. The Celtics scored 119 points in their first match against the Mavericks, led by Jayson Tatum's 39 points and Jaylen Brown's 34 points. Kristaps Porzinigis, who averages 20.2 ppg, did not play in that game, but the Celtics' offense will be even better when he plays. The Celtics were healthy in this game, having only lost three games at home this season. The Celtics maintain home advantage and win this game after a massive offensive and defensive effort.
Prediction: Boston Celtics will cover
full game total pick
evaluation:
The Mavericks and Celtics combined for just 229 points in their first meeting, but I expect them to score even more in this game. The Celtics were without Kristaps Porzinigis in that game, but his addition to the lineup made the Celtics' offense even scarier. The Celtics are only 20th in the NBA in pace, but they are scoring over 120 PPG and lead the NBA in 3-pointers made per game. Expect the Celtics to play even better offensively in this game and take advantage of the Mavericks' defensive weaknesses.
The Mavericks like to play fast, as they are second in the NBA in three-pointers made per game and 10th in the NBA in pace. Luka Doncic is perhaps the best player in the NBA under the age of 25, scoring 33 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists against the Celtics in his first game. Even one of the NBA's best defenses can't stop Doncic, and he's been playing his best basketball so far this season. His running mate, Kyrie Irving, scored 23 points in his first game against the Celtics, and the talented duo will likely put in another great offensive performance in this game. The Mavericks also added much-needed depth, taking their offense to another level with the additions of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. Each team's star player will have a big game, and both teams will be hitting a ton of threes, so take over.
Prediction: End
