Doncic and Dallas visit Tatum and the Celtics
Dallas Mavericks (41-26, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (41-27, fifth in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic meet when Boston hosts Dallas. Tatum ranks eighth in the NBA averaging 26.8 points per game and Doncic is fourth in the league averaging 28.1 points per game.
The Celtics have gone 24-11 at home. Boston averages 109.7 points while outscoring opponents by 5.7 points per game.
The Mavericks are 18-14 in road games. Dallas is 18-17 against opponents over .500.
The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Nov. 7 the Mavericks won 107-104 led by 33 points from Doncic, while Tatum scored 32 points for the Celtics.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is shooting 33.8% from beyond the arc with 2.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Celtics, while averaging 26.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Jaylen Brown is averaging 20.9 points and 4.2 assists over the last 10 games for Boston.
Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists for the Mavericks. Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 17.5 points over the last 10 games for Dallas.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 117.7 points, 43.5 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.6 points per game.
Mavericks: 8-2, averaging 109.4 points, 39.4 rebounds, 20.8 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.2 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Aaron Nesmith: out (ankle).
Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr.: out (foot), Jalen Brunson: out (thigh), Dorian Finney-Smith: out (arm), Theo Pinson: out (finger), Marquese Chriss: out (knee).
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