Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics odds, picks and predictions

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks (34-25) take on the Boston Celtics (46-12) Friday with tip-off from TD Garden set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Mavericks vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Celtics lead 1-0

The Mavs snapped a mini, 2-game slide with a 136-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors Wednesday. G Luka Doncic had a triple-double with 30 points, 16 dimes and 11 boards, and G Kyrie Irving had 29 as well. The Mavs are 8-2 over the last 10.

Boston has won 9 in a row following a 117-99 incineration of the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday. F Jayson Tatum had 29 points, 11 boards and 8 assists while G Jaylen Brown had 31 points to boot. The Celtics are 4-0-1 ATS over their last 5.

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 9:05 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Mavericks +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Celtics -450 (bet $450 to win $100)

Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +9.5 (-105) | Celtics -9.5 (-115)

Over/Under (O/U): 235.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Mavericks at Celtics and predictions

- Celtics 115, Mavericks 113

Moneyline

Here’s the conundrum: Doncic sprained his left ankle against Toronto, and there is no feeling one way or another if he’ll play. Clearly at +350, the books don’t feel like he will. Doncic plays through stuff all the time. If you have a free bet, the Mavs might be worth taking a shot on. Dallas won in this building in 2 of the last 3 meetings, but they took place in 2021 and 2022. The Celtics are a machine, and the addition of C Kristaps Porzingis makes them even more dangerous.

In a safer spectrum, I like JRUE HOLIDAY OVER 11.5 POINTS (-135). He shot 56.9% from the floor in February, and he had 17 against Dallas in a Jan. 22 meeting.

Against the spread

This one is tricky because if Doncic is out, I don’t like the Mavs’ side here. However, if he’s cleared to play, this spread is going to change dramatically. The Mavs have played well at 8-2 ATS over the last 10.

Shop around because I’ve seen them catching a full 10. I’ll take MAVERICKS +9.5 (-105).

Over/Under

Each team is 4-6 O/U over the last 10, and the Over is just 2-7-1 in the last 10 meetings. With Doncic’s status, and the underlying pull toward the Under, I think you have to take UNDER 235.5 (-110).