PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics arrive in Dallas as heavy favorites with a 31-18 record, looking to extend their success against a Mavericks team sitting at 19-30 and facing a four-game losing streak. Boston's elite defense ranks first in the Eastern Conference at 109.1 points allowed per game, and they control games through a deliberate pace, operating at 99.4 possessions per game—the slowest in the league. The Celtics excel at limiting three-point quality while maintaining high spacing on offense and boasting the league's second-lowest turnover rate, creating a blueprint for offensive efficiency. Injury troubles plague both rosters, with Dallas missing Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Dante Exum, while Boston will be without Jayson Tatum. Dallas faces an uphill climb at home despite playing in a more up-tempo style compared to their guests. The Mavericks' defensive scheme limits three-point attempts at the third-best rate in basketball, yet their offense struggles with shot creation, ranking 26th in three-point volume while managing only 22.4% offensive rebounding. Boston's bottom-half three-point defense presents an opportunity, particularly for Klay Thompson, who should find open looks as the Mavericks lean on depth scoring without their injured stars. The Celtics have won four of their last five matchups against Dallas, establishing a clear historical edge entering this contest.