Free NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Odds
Looking for Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Celtics taking on the Mavericks on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021, at American Airlines Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Celtics Mavericks matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(15-15) Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks (14-15)
Date: Tuesday, February 23rd
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
NBA Moneyline Odds: OFF
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -0.5
NBA Betting Total: 230.5
On Tuesday, February 23rd, the Boston Celtics meet the Dallas Mavericks for the first time this season.
Last season, the squads played twice with Boston winning both contests. The Celtics hold the all-time record having won 42 matches of the 78 played.
Boston Celtics
With their sights fixed on raising another championship banner, the Celtics began the season seemingly on track posting an 8-3 record. At the time Kemba Walker was out recovering from an offseason knee treatment.
Walker returned for the 12th game of the schedule and since then the Celtics are 7-12.
This past week the Celts appeared headed for a 3-1 week but suffered arguably their worst loss of the season coughing up a 24 point lead to the Pelicans.
Walker shot 5 of 21 in the game, missed eight of the nine shots taken in the fourth quarter and overtime plus shot 1 of 9 from deep.
It’s not just Walker although there are clearly some issues in Boston in the backcourt as Stevens has shifted away from playing Jeff Teague who was a CD DNP in five of their last seven games.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are doing their part but there is definitely something amiss with the Bean Town crew which is leaking up on both sides of the hardwood. Case in point, they’ve fallen outside the top 10 in all three key categories (offense, defense, net differential).
Undoubtedly, the Pelicans’ loss will sting and the Mavericks will be the club who gets the lion’s share of the Celtics’ angst over it.
Marcus Smart (calf) is traveling with the team but remains out targeting a month-end return. Romeo Langford underwent wrist surgery and is expected to miss four to five months.
Dallas Mavericks
Severe weather conditions in the State of Texas resulted in two Dallas games being postponed. It offered the Mavericks a rare opportunity to gain rest and also work on specific schematic issues.
Considering the quick turnaround of the season and the pandemic teams haven’t had as much practice time so while this past week affects the typical rhythm of playing every other day it could also be viewed as an advantage.
They returned to the court Monday night to play the Grizzlies and understandably showed some rust but also displayed a more aggressive defensive effort.
Despite Kristaps Poringis being out (back tightness) the Mavericks who entered the match ranked 29th in rebounding battled on the glass (49 to 51).
Knowing they were up 19 and that the Celtics loom on Tuesday the Mavs seemed to ease up in the fourth which allowed the Grizzlies to cut into the lead but never got it under double digits.
The most obvious defensive tweak was transition defense where the Mavs held the sixth-ranked fast break scoring Grizzlies to two points
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavericks with 29 points on an efficient 9 of 14 including seven 3-pointers. Luka Doncic (21), Jalen Brunson (19), and Josh Richardson (17) were the other double-figure contributors.
Porzingis is listed as questionable for Tuesday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Celtics are 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Celtics are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 5-5 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Prediction:
Normally a back-to-back set would give the rested team a major advantage but with a week off and if Porzingis can play it won’t hold as much benefit for the Celtics.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Mavericks ATS
This match has all the makings to be a must-watch affair with the Celtics looking to respond to the embarrassing loss to the Pels and the Mavs eager to build upon their practice tweaks and climb the West’s ladder.
Brown and Tatum will be an issue for Dallas to contain but I’m not sure anyone on Boston can stop Luka or Porzingis (if he plays). Besides a 0.5 over/under is the oddsmakers basically saying – flip a coin.
NBA Free Prediction: Mavericks 113 – Celtics 110 (Bet Now!)
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