The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will both aim to get back on track tonight when they collide at American Airlines Center.
Stars on both sides have struggled to produce much offensively since the calendar flipped to 2025, which is why I’ll be taking the Under as my best bet in today’s Cavaliers vs Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, January 25.
Celtics vs Mavericks prediction
My best bet
Under 222 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Luka Doncic will miss his 16th straight game for the Dallas Mavericks with a calf injury. The team has understandably struggled without its star scorer.
The Mavs have gone 5-10 since December 27, averaging just 109.5 points per game—the eighth-worst mark in the NBA.
Things have been a bit better for the Boston Celtics lately, though they’re not going nearly as smoothly as they were in October or November.
Jayson Tatum (24.3 ppg) and Jaylen Brown (19.2 ppg) have both seen their scoring dip since the calendar flipped to 2025, and that’s translated to the team averaging just 110.4 points per game in January — a far cry from the 121.2 they were putting up through the first two months of the season.
While the offenses have cooled off, both teams have remained sturdy defensively. Boston (108.4 ppg) and Dallas (111.9 ppg) rank sixth and 11th, respectively, in opponent points per game.
The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the two teams and 7-3 in Boston’s last 10, and I’m expecting that trend to hold here tonight.
Celtics vs Mavericks same-game parlay
Under 222.5
Celtics -5.5
Kristaps Porzingis Over 18.5 points
If there’s been one positive for Boston’s offense this month, it’s been Kristaps Porzingis. The center is scoring 19.7 ppg and has recorded at least 19 points in six of his last eight contests.
Porzingis should help the C’s pick up the win, with Boston opening as the eight-point favorite tonight. The Celtics, however, have only covered the spread in two of their last eight games, so I’m not too confident it’ll be a smooth ride against the defensively-solid Mavs.
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Celtics vs Mavericks odds
Celtics vs Mavericks live odds
Celtics vs Mavericks opening odds
- Spread: Boston -7.5 | Dallas +7.5
- Moneyline: Boston -320 | Dallas +280
- Over/Under: Over 221 | Under 221
Odds courtesy of bet365
Celtics vs Mavericks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Celtics opened as the eight-point favorite with movement on both sides depending where you look, moving Boston either up or down half a point.
- The C’s are 7-1-1 in their last nine meetings against the Mavs, while Dallas is just 4-10 ATS in its last 14 outings.
- The total opened at 222.5 points with the Under going 6-1 in Boston’s last seven away games as well as 6-1 in the last seven meetings between the two teams in Dallas.
Celtics vs Mavericks trend
The Boston Celtics have hit the game total Under in 23 of their last 31 away games (+14.20 Units / 42% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Celtics vs Mavericks
| Location | American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas |
| Date | Saturday, 1-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 5:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC, ESPN+ |
Celtics vs Mavericks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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