The Dallas Mavericks (7-6) take on the Boston Celtics (10-2) Sunday at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let's analyze NBA odds around the Mavericks vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025-26 season series: Boston won 2-0
Dallas suffered its second consecutive embarrassing loss, 127-117, to the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, in a game in which the Cavs sat all 5 of their starters. That loss came just 2 days after the Mavs were blown out 133-94 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are still without Anthony Edwards. Dallas failed to cover the spread in either loss, while the Over hit in both games. Mavs F Cooper Flagg combined for just 30 points in those 2 games, failing
to score 20 points in either one.
Boston picked up its fifth straight win with a 98-93 victory over the Toronto Raptors Wednesday while covering as a 4.5-point road favorite as the Under (215.5) cashed. F Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, but it was Boston's defense that was pivotal in the win. The Celtics held the Raptors to just 32 second-half points while not allowing any Raptors player to score more than 17 points. Boston has held 3 opponents under 100 during this win streak, and no opponent has scored over 102 in any of Boston's last 6 wins.
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Mavericks at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:58 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mavericks +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Celtics -800 (bet $800 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +13.5 (-110) | Celtics -13.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Mavericks at Celtics key injuries
Mavericks
(Not yet submitted -- below was for Saturday's game)
- G Max Christie (ankle) questionable
- G Sergio de Larrea (knee) out
- C Morez Johnson Jr. (shin) probable
- C Dereck Lively II (foot) out
- F Caleb Martin (thumb) available
Celtics
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Mavericks at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 117, Mavericks 103
Moneyline
PASS.
The Celtics are the much hotter team, and they will win this game, but they are favored far too heavily at -800, so it is not worth the risk to back them here. Pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN CELTICS -13.5 (-110).
The Mavericks have played horribly in back-to-back games against injured teams, so there is little hope that they will be able to cover here against a team that is better on both sides of the ball and is also better when it comes to rebounding.
Boston has covered the spread in 4 straight, while Dallas has dropped 3 straight ATS, and the Celtics are 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10 matchups against the Mavs.
This is a lean because Dallas is still a talented team, so if any key Boston player has an off-night it would be very possible for the Mavs to cover.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 219.5 (-115).
Boston's defense has been elite during its win streak, while the Mavericks have had back-to-back embarrassing performances. The Celtics now have a top-2 defensive rating while holding opponents to the fewest points per game, and neither of these offenses are top-14 in terms of points per game, so the Over isn't a real threat here unless all the stars go off.
The Under has hit in 7 of Boston's last 10 games, including each of its last 2 home games, while also being 8-5 for the Mavericks this season. The Under is also 7-3 in the last 10 matchups between these squads, having hit in back-to-back entering this mathcup.
Best prop bet
Celtics F PAUL GEORGE OVER 18.5 POINTS (-120).
George is on a tear to start the season, averaging 22 points per game while taking 16.4 shots per game, both numbers he hasn't seen since his time in LA. In his last 4 games, George has eclipsed 19 points 3 times, and he took at least 19 shots in all 3 of those games. Also, Tatum has struggled against Dallas recently, being held to fewer than 20 points in back-to-back matchups against the Mavs, so expect that George picks up his slack and crushes this number.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics odds, picks and predictions
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