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Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks prediction, odds, TV channel for January 5

By Andrew Hughes

The Boston Celtics look to end their losing streak while also putting a halt to the Dallas Mavericks' win streak on Thursday, January 5 Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics look to end their losing streak while also putting a halt to the Dallas Mavericks' win streak on Thursday, January 5 Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics still own the top record in the league, but their current two-game losing streak is certainly causing concern for fans who have seen their play decline in recent months. On Thursday night, they look to bounce back from their worst loss of the season with a nationally televised matchup against the red-hot Dallas Mavericks — winners of their last seven games.

Boston’s 150-117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder — in what was one of the easier over covers of this season — was unfathomable in many ways, the cherry on the top being that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t even in uniform. Every single starter scored in double figures, and the Tre Mann/Isaiah Joe combo put up 42 points off the Thunder bench. Giving up 70 points in the paint was certainly a wakeup call for a Cs defense that was starting to level out.

Does Joe Mazzulla insert Robert Williams III  into the starting lineup and roll with the double-big deployment Ime Udoka rode to the 2022 NBA Finals? If so, where does that leave the second unit? Those questions may seem like ones you shouldn’t aim to answer in a matchup with another top 10 team record-wise, but the Mavericks’ recent win streak isn’t as impressive as it may seem. Three of those wins came against the Western Conference-worst Houston Rockets and another came against the San Antonio Spurs. The biggest quality win of the bunch was the New York Knicks.

Perhaps Mazzulla could mix things up against a Dallas frontcourt that is missing key pieces in Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith along the wing. Can that get the Cs back on track, or will their woes continue as the Mavericks gain? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the Wednesday battle between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on TNT (all odds provided by WynnBET):

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks odds, spread

The Celtics are 2.5-point favorites against the Mavericks on the road. Dallas is a +127 home underdog while Boston’s ML is set at -150. The over/under for the game has been placed at 232 points.

Celtics vs. Mavericks prediction

After Malcolm Brogdon admitted that the Cs let their guard down against the Thunder this past Tuesday, you best believe Joe Mazzulla is going to have a refocused group.

Lean under on a decently high total.

Pick: 232u (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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