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2023-24 NBA Regular Season
Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks
TD Garden
Boston, Massachusetts
Saturday 2 March 2024
Tip-off at 02:30
The Dallas Mavericks will be looking to arrest a three-game losing streak to the Boston Celtics when they face off at the TD Garden on the morning of Saturday, March 2.
Their most recent meeting saw the Celtics emerge 119-110 victors at the American Airlines Center on January 23 as 2024
NBA All-Star Game MVP Jayson Tatum played a starring role, scoring 39 points.
The Mavs (8th) are still eyeing a place in the playoffs and they're locked in a fierce battle with Sacramento Kings (7th), New Orleans Pelicans (6th) and Phoenix Suns (5th) in the race to finish in the Western Conference top six.
Jason Kidd's team suffered their first defeat in eight games after going down 133-111 to Indiana Pacers on February 26, having been out-shot 56 per cent to 47 from the field.
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Luka Doncic posted a joint game-high 33 points along with six assists and six rebounds, but the Mavs struggled to deal with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, who scored 17 and 33 points respectively for the Pacers.
"Give them (Dallas) credit. They were making shots," Kidd said. "We'll learn from it. We had 15 assists, the lowest of the season.
"Haliburton caused us a problem driving. Turner, he kind of finds his way to top of the key or the 3-point line. He was wide open, so we have to do better."
The Celtics continue to lead the way in the Eastern Conference with a season-best record of 45-12 and they are streets ahead of closest challengers Cleveland Cavaliers.
Joe Mazzulla's team beat New York Knicks 116-102 on February 25 to make it eight wins on the spin, with Jaylen Brown scoring 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis adding 22.
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Mazzulla reserved special praise for Tatum, who registered 19 points, six rebounds and six assists, which has seen the small forward get at least five assists in seven of his last nine games and six rebounds in 16 of 17 games.
"I thought today was a beautiful display of basketball from Jayson," Mazzulla said. "It won't go into the most valuable category, but his ability to control the game with his pick-and-roll pace, his pick-and-roll passing, his defense.
"He put himself on [Jalen] Brunson, welcoming 2-on-1s and creating for others was great. My hats off to him for knowing that's a way for us to win."
Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks - Head-to-head, Regular Season
Games played: 85
Celtics wins: 45
Mavs wins: 40
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