The Boston Celtics (41-21) will host the Dallas Mavericks (21-41) in the NBA this Friday, with Jayson Tatum set to make his season debut for Boston in tonight's game. Tipoff from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Celtics are 14.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Celtics -14.5), with the over/under set at 225.5 total points. Boston is a -1000 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +650 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mavericks vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Friday, March 6.
Mavericks vs Celtics Prediction
Mavericks vs Celtics pick: Mavericks +14.5 (-110)
My Celtics vs. Mavericks best bet is on Dallas to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -110 | 225.5 -110o / -110u | +650 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -110 | 225.5 -110o / -110u | -1000 |
Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Friday Preview
The Mavericks are 14.5-point underdogs on the spread in tonight's game.
I think the amount of nonsense the Celtics are going to experience in Tatum's first game back might be a little too much for them to cover this enormous number.
Plus, you factor in Cooper Flagg being back in the rotation for the Mavericks, and the Celtics are likely laying far too many points in this spot.
I thought Flagg looked really good last night. He was the only Mavericks' player giving any Orlando trouble.
Without Jalen Suggs hitting some late threes and a game-winning bucket by Wendell Carter Jr., Dallas might have ended up winning that game.
Also, Flagg knows he is now the underdog in the Rookie of the Year race, with Kon Knueppel becoming the favorite recently. He is aware of that.
Flagg is is going to play hard. That’s the only way he knows how to do it, and now he’s back in the Mavericks' rotation. He'll make a sizable impact against Boston tonight.
Let’s also talk about the Jayson Tatum situation. I’m not so sure the “Tatum coming back” thing is the best idea.
I assume the thought process is to get him some regular-season reps before the playoffs — and yes, it’s a positive that the Celtics' core has played so much basketball together that integrating Tatum back into the fold shouldn’t be all that difficult.
However, I don’t think the mental aspect of Tatum's reintegration can be understated, especially for Jaylen Brown.
Brown is the guy in Boston right now, and he's loving it — he’s thriving.
This is the first time in his career that Brown has really had the opportunity to show everyone that he can be just as good as (if not better than) Tatum in a Celtics' jersey, and he’s been playing with a chip on his shoulder all year.
Now you are telling him that he needs to integrate Tatum back into the offense again? That’s not nothing.
I’m not sure there has been a game all year where Brown has had to defer offensively. Today, there are going to be plenty of possessions where he has to do that.
Mavericks vs Celtics Picks, Betting Predictions
With all the mental gymnastics that come with the return of Tatum for Boston, and Flagg returning to the Mavericks' lineup with the intention of reclaiming the lead in the Rookie of the Year race, I believe the Celtics are laying too many points here at +14.5.
Dallas might be tanking, but I still think Flagg and company are going to play hard tonight.
I’ll take the Mavericks +14.5 all day long in this matchup.
Mavericks vs Celtics Best Bet
- Mavericks +14.5 (-110)
Mavericks vs Celtics Betting Trends
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