The surprise Celtics (31-18) continue their impressive season deep in the heart of Texas tonight when they take on the sliding Dallas Mavericks (19-30).
The Mavericks look to break their four-game losing streak at home, led by rookie Cooper Flagg's hot streak; meanwhile, the Celtics aim to continue their surprise season with Jaylen Brown leading the way.
Celtics vs. Mavericks tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday from Dallas, TX., live on NBC and Peacock.
Below, we’ll break down our Celtics vs. Mavericks prediction and Tuesday NBA picks for PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks NBA to make picks on player projections and win real money if you’re right.
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Celtics vs. Mavericks Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Celtics remain one of the true surprise stories of this NBA season. Projected by many to be a fringe Play-In team in the East at best due to Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, they are currently tied for second place, led by MVP candidate Jaylen Brown.
The Mavericks are on a four-game losing streak, but none of the blame can be placed on rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. Flagg has scored 83 points across his last two games, a record for most points scored in a two-game stretch by a teenager in the NBA. “Yes” for him to win NBA Rookie of the Year is currently returning a 1.14x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks.
The Mavericks are in a unique position this season. Their HOF veterans, PF Anthony Davis and PG Kyrie Irving, are both battling long-term injuries and carry less trade value than their names suggest.
Meanwhile, Flagg is shining; he scored 49 points two games ago in a loss to the Hornets, the most points ever scored by a teenager in NBA history. He followed that outing by dropping 34-12-5 on a Rockets defense that has the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA (111.9).
Despite low expectations to start the year, the Celtics have sat in second in the Eastern Conference standings for virtually the entire season. They’ve been led by MVP candidate Jaylen Brown and Coach of the Year candidate Joe Mazzulla.
“Yes” on HC Joe Mazzulla to win NBA Coach of the Year this season is currently returning a 6.66x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Celtics vs. Mavericks Spread, Over/Under
The Celtics enter Tuesday’s game as 7.5-point road favorites, returning a 1.36x payout ($100 pays out $136) on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Mavericks are road underdogs with a 2.85x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Boston Celtics -7.5 (2x payout)
- Over/Under: 223.5 (1.85x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Celtics 1.36x | Mavericks 2.85x
Team Picks payouts are live as of publishing and are subject to change.
Celtics vs. Mavericks Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Celtics vs. Mavericks injury report for Tuesday, via NBA.com.
Celtics Injury Report
- SF Jayson Tatum (Achilles): OUT
Mavericks Injury Report
- PG Dante Exum (Knee): OUT
- PG Kyrie Irving (Knee): OUT
- PF Anthony Davis (Finger): OUT
- C Derrick Lively II (Foot): OUT
- PF PJ Washington (Concussion): OUT
- PG Brandon Williams (Leg): Questionable
- C Moussa Cisse (G League/Two Way): Questionable
- SG Miles Kelly (G League/Two Way): Probable
- PG Ryan Nembhard (G League/Two Way): Probable
Celtics vs. Mavericks Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to help you make your Celtics vs. Mavericks prediction on the spread today.
- At 27-22-0 (59.1%), the Celtics have the seventh-best against-the-spread record in the NBA. They are also 15-10-0 (60%) on the road this season, the sixth-best mark in the league.
- Boston has the third-best net rating in the association at +7.6. The Mavericks check in at 21st at -2.3.
- The C’s should find success on the boards; they rank 11th in the league in rebounds per game (45).
- The Mavericks have given up 46.9 rebounds per game, fourth-most.
- Working in the Mavs' favor is their tremendous success at limiting 3-pointers. They have held opponents to just 33.6% from deep this season, the best mark in the NBA.
- This could be crucial against a Celtics team that ranks second in 3-point attempts per game at 42.4.
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Celtics vs. Mavericks Picks for PrizePicks Today
Here are two of the top Celtics vs. Mavericks picks to consider for PrizePicks today. Player projections via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Celtics G-F Jaylen Brown vs. Mavericks Projection – 41.5 Pts+Reb+Asts
- Brown averaged 41.7 Pts+Rebs+Asts (PRA) in January.
- The Celtics' All-Star is averaging 2.2 more points per game on the road this season (30.5 vs 28.3).
- As mentioned above, the Mavericks have struggled all season keeping opponents off the glass. They have given up 34.5 defensive rebounds per game, fourth-most in the league.
- Brown is also on a rebounding tear in recent games. He has averaged 9.6 rebounds over his last seven games, bringing his season average to 6.9 rebounds per game (5.7 on defense), a career high.
Mavericks F Cooper Flagg vs. Celtics Projection – 32.5 Pts+Reb+Asts
- Flagg is peaking right now, putting up 51 and 62 PRA in his last two games.
- While the recent streak is promising, it could be leading to a slightly inflated number for the rookie, who has had less than this projection in 27 of his 45 games this season (60%).
- This is a massive pace-down game for the Mavericks. Dallas ranks fifth in the league in pace, while the Celtics rank 30th, according to NBA.com.
- This Celtics’ defense has been stingy this season, giving up just 42.2 rebounds (7th) and 25.4 assists per game (8th).
Make Your Celtics vs. Mavericks Prediction on PrizePicks
Opposites collide in Dallas this Tuesday with the free-falling Mavericks playing host to the still-consistent Celtics.
Celtics vs. Mavericks picks aren’t the only way hoops fans can get in on the daily NBA action with PrizePicks.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states!
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