Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Preview (11/23/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum, two MVP favorites for the 2022-23 season, headline this incredible non-conference matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. This article covers the preview for this game between two MVP frontrunners, the projected starting lineups, updated injury reports, and current odds. Check it out!

Dallas Mavericks Vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds

The Dallas Mavericks are six-point road dogs against the Boston Celtics. Boston’s injury report looks very similar to the rest of the season; it will be without Danilo Gallinari and Robert Williams III. Meanwhile, Dallas will only miss Maxi Kleber, as it has remained healthy for the most part this season.

Dallas Mavericks Vs. Boston Celtics Prediction

The searing Celtics’ nine-game winning streak ended Monday against an unlikely opponent: the Chicago Bulls. Until that loss, Boston had taken care of opponents such as New Orleans, Denver, Atlanta, Memphis, and, ironically, Chicago. The Celtics boast an incredibly talented offense with a rating of 118.2 behind one of the few MVP-favorites, Jayson Tatum, who is having a career season. Tatum has averaged roughly 30 points, eight rebounds, and five assists through the season’s first five weeks!

One area that Boston can improve is defense, which is interesting, considering it was by far the best team in the league on that end of the floor last season. It hurts not having Robert Williams III available, as he is the C’s interior anchor, but the bottom line is that they aren’t as locked in as they could be. This should naturally change throughout the year as we close in on the postseason, but there might be a bit more volatility in the meantime.

Tatum’s biggest competition for the MVP award will be across from him in this game. Luka Doncic has looked somewhat superhuman, averaging close to 34 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals! The only area where Doncic has struggled is from behind the arc, but that is forgivable as his team has picked up the slack a bit. Still, the Mavs will want to improve on their current ranking of 19th in the NBA in 3P% (three-point percentage), as many of their looks on offense come from deep (fourth in 3PA.)

It’s hard to bet against the Celtics right now. During their nine-game winning streak, Boston won by an average of 11.4 points per game, with several of those games coming on the road. I’m banking on Tatum recognizing how essential games like this are for his MVP chances. Let’s roll with the C’s against the spread.

Betting Trends

• Dallas is 2-3 ATS on the road in 2022-23
• Boston is 4-3 ATS at home in 2022-23
• The combined over record of these two teams is 18-14-1 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

The key matchup for this game should be self-explanatory, but if you skipped the intro, I will recap: Luka Doncic versus Jayson Tatum. Below, I detail a further analysis of the two MVP favorites through the first month of the NBA season!

Jayson Tatum vs. Luka Doncic

Tatum and Doncic have gone head-to-head seven times in their young NBA careers, and the numbers have overwhelmingly favored Luka thus far. Doncic has posted nearly 28 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on an absurd 53/53/82 shooting split. The game’s results have also heavily favored Doncic, as the Mavericks are 5-2 in those seven games and have won four straight! For whatever reason, Boston has struggled against Dallas and Doncic. I’ll give the matchup advantage to Luka, but still, I believe the C’s walk away with a win. Advantage: Doncic.

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Dwight Powell

Boston Celtics Starting Lineups

PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Grant Williams
C: Al Horford

Key Injuries

Dallas Mavericks Injuries: Maxi Kleber (Out)

Boston Celtics Injuries: Robert Williams III (Out), Danilo Gallinari (Out)