No Luka Doncic for the 16th straight game. Dereck Lively II in a giant walking boot. Reigning Western Conference champion Mavericks wobbling in play-in territory. In those and other vivid ways, much had changed in the 222 days since Dallas and Boston last met,

The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics met in Dallas on Saturday for their first matchup since last season's NBA Finals. Dallas was missing many key pieces, including starters Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II, while Boston was wrapping up a four-game road trip.

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Derrick White added 23, including Boston’s first 11 of the third quarter, and the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 on Saturday night in the first meeting between the teams since the NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks (24-21) will aim for their second consecutive upset victory when they host the Boston Celtics (31-14) on Saturday evening. Dallas is coming off its biggest win of the season, taking down Oklahoma City as an 11.

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We’re back with a betting prediction and pick for this upcoming NBA slate as we take a look at this next cross-conference matchup between two powerhouses in the East and West. The Houston Rockets (29-14) will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-8) as the two sides meet for back-to-back games and finish their season series.

The Dallas Mavericks (24-21) host the defending champion Boston Celtics (31-14) in a NBA Finals rematch on Saturday afternoon on ABC. Dallas is riding high after an improbable win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Boston Celtics will look to bounce back big on Saturday as they prepare to take on the Dallas Mavericks in this non-conference matchup. The Celtics will travel to Dallas for the first and only time this season in this rematch of last year's NBA Finals.