The Boston Celtics (36-15) and the Dallas Mavericks (26-25) are preparing to face off in a highly anticipated cross-conference matchup on Thursday. Currently, the Celtics are on a four-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are experiencing a three-game losing streak, with a recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of 118-116.

Significant Player Updates: -Jrue Holiday (shoulder) is questionable to play for the Celtics.
-Caleb Martin (hip) and PJ Washington (personal) are out for the Mavericks.
-Anthony Davis (abdomen) is doubtful for his anticipated debut.

Game Details:

• Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden, Boston.
• Current Odds: The Celtics are favored by 11.5 points, with a total over/under of 231.5 points.

Why the Celtics Can Cover:

Jaylen Brown is an explosive scorer, averaging 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He has consistently performed, scoring over 20 points in five of his last six games.
Additionally, Derrick White contributes significantly; he’s known for his offensive playmaking and defense, averaging 16.4 points along with solid rebounding.

Why the Mavericks Can Cover:

Kyrie Irving leads the Mavericks, averaging 24.5 points per game and remains a key player, scoring over 25 points in three consecutive outings. Daniel Gafford has also been effective in the frontcourt, maintaining a high field-goal percentage and producing double-digit performances consistently.

Final Insights: Before finalizing your bets for this matchup, ensure to check out additional NBA predictions and insights available on SportsLine. The model has simulated this game 10,000 times, projecting a total of 233 points collectively from both teams.