Irving and the Mavericks take on Tatum and the Celtics
Boston Celtics (31-14, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (24-21, seventh in the Western Conference)
Dallas; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Boston plays Dallas for a non-conference matchup.
The Mavericks are 13-9 on their home court. Dallas is sixth in the Western Conference with 33.7 defensive rebounds per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 7.6.
The Celtics are 16-6 in road games. Boston is at the bottom of the league scoring 42.1 points per game in the paint.
The Mavericks make 47.8% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.5 percentage points higher than the Celtics have allowed to their opponents (45.3%). The Celtics score 5.3 more points per game (117.2) than the Mavericks allow their opponents to score (111.9).
TOP PERFORMERS: P.J. Washington is averaging 13.8 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Mavericks. Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Celtics. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 4-6, averaging 110.1 points, 43.4 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.4 points per game.
Celtics: 5-5, averaging 109.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 24.4 assists, 7.6 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.2 points.
INJURIES: Mavericks: Klay Thompson: day to day (ankle), Dwight Powell: day to day (hip), Dante Exum: out (wrist), Jaden Hardy: day to day (ankle), Luka Doncic: out (calf), Naji Marshall: day to day (illness), Dereck Lively II: out (ankle).
Celtics: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
2026 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings
Who are the 10 best 3-point shooters in NBA history?
NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Who are the 10 best dunkers in NBA history?
NBA Announces All-Star Game Starters; U.S. vs. World Format Now on Its Way
What are the 100 best athlete nicknames of all time?
10 Best Championship Games Since 2000, From Patriots-Falcons to Dodgers-Blue Jays
2026 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings
Who are the 10 best 3-point shooters in NBA history?
NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Who are the 10 best dunkers in NBA history?
NBA Announces All-Star Game Starters; U.S. vs. World Format Now on Its Way
What are the 100 best athlete nicknames of all time?
10 Best Championship Games Since 2000, From Patriots-Falcons to Dodgers-Blue Jays
