Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Picks and Prediction for Sunday, November 15, 2026
Dallas is going on the road to face the Boston Celtics on November 15 for a game at TD Garden at 6 PM Eastern time. The Mavericks have a very difficult weekend ahead, as they already played a Saturday night game in Cleveland, and then they have to hop on the plane for a short trip over to Boston. That's not a particularly friendly schedule, and considering how well the Celtics have been playing, it could make it difficult for the Mavericks to get a Boston win. Boston has ended up winning the last five games and has not lost at home yet this season, but Dallas has been putting together some decent wins. However, they have been having some lapses at times, as they were recently blown out by Minnesota on Thursday night. Be ready for all the NBA action with our free NBA picks.Β
Dallas Mavericks Face a Difficult Weekend
Dallas is coming into this game with a 7-5 record overall prior to the game played on Saturday. The Mavericks were also only 2-3 on the road. However, prior to the blowout loss at Minnesota, which had a final score of 133-94, the Mavericks had won three straight games. That loss was an ugly one, as Dallas allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 58% from the floor and never were able to come back from falling behind early in the game. The Mavericks did end up picking up a win on Monday night, as they beat the Indiana Pacers 125-122.
The offense for the Mavericks is coming in with 102.6 possessions per game, but that has only translated to 113.2 points per game. Now, the defensive side of the ball has seen the Mavericks giving up 112.2 points per game, which only gives the Mavericks a plus-one margin when it comes to the scoring difference, and that could explain why the Mavericks are close to the .500 mark on the year so far this season. However, the Mavericks could come into this game dealing with some fatigue issues, as they are facing the Cavaliers on Saturday night, and if that game runs long, fatigue could become a major issue.
Now, the good news is the Mavericks do have some experience and depth on the floor that could give them help, as they do have Kyrie Irving, who can help score, but also Cooper Flagg as well. However, the Mavericks are still dealing with some injury issues, as Dereck Lively II, Sergio de Larrea, and Tarik BiberoviΔ are listed as unavailable. However, there's been some recent additions to the report, as Max Christie is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain, and Morez Johnson Jr. is listed as probable with a shin contusion. But Dallas does have enough talent on the roster to overcome that injury issue if the healthy players are able to play together effectively, unlike they did on Thursday night.
Boston Celtics Have Been Difficult to Score Against
The Celtics are coming in with a very impressive 10-2 record overall, and as mentioned, they are already unbeaten at home this season with a 5-0 record. The Celtics are coming in having won five straight, and nine out of their last 10 games have been wins. That includes a 98-93 victory over the Toronto Raptors, and that was a good example of how the Celtics have been able to keep winning games. They did not need a big offensive performance, as the defense was able to keep the Raptors' offense at bay in that game, and that has been the story for the Celtics so far this season.
The Celtics' offense is coming into the game with 114.3 points per game scored, which is decent, but it is not enough to write home about at times. However, the Celtics are coming in with 99.1 possessions per game, and that's one of the slower paces in the league, which helps keep the Celtics players fresh and to explain why the defense is doing so well. Speaking of the defense, the Celtics are only giving up 103.1 points per game, and that could definitely help the Celtics out in this game if they're able to keep the Mavericks from running the floor very well, and with injury issues on the Mavericks' offense, it could help them out.
On the injury front, Paul George could be out in this game, as he's listed day-to-day, as he has been fighting an illness. However, other than George, the Celtics are coming in fairly well-rested and with no other real major injury issues. The Celtics do have Jayson Tatum on the roster, and he's one of their premier offensive options. However, when he is unavailable, the Celtics are able to get the ball to Payton Pritchard, another player who has been showing up at the guard position to provide quite a bit of production for the Celtics.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Picks and Prediction
Moneyline β Boston Celtics
The Celtics are coming in at home. They're facing a Mavericks team that's gonna be coming off of a back-to-back. The Mavericks do have to travel to Boston on Saturday night by plane, and that could lead to some fatigue issues. The good news is it is the same time zone, so the Mavericks should not have any jet lag issues. However, the Celtics are only allowing 103 points per game, and that could keep the Mavericks' offense in check for this entire game.
Over/Under β Under 221.5 Points
Back to the same idea, the Mavericks are traveling on Saturday night and should have some fatigue issues after the airplane on Saturday. The Celtics are gonna come in rested and playing at home. The defense for Boston is only giving up 103 points per game, and the Celtics ended up holding the Raptors to 93 points in their last game. The Mavericks, they're gonna be tired. That's the main line. The shots aren't gonna be falling when they're gonna be putting up the ball. Half the stuff isn't gonna fall. The Mavericks could be held down to 105 points, and with that being the case, I think the Celtics are gonna win the game, and I think the final score is gonna be like a 113-102 or somewhere in that neighborhood, which will make it easy to see under 221.5 as a good mark for the over/under.