Ricky Dimon
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We have a nine-game slate in the NBA on Tuesday, and it is headlined by a double-header on TNT. Prior to a showdown between Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics are visiting the Dallas Mavericks. Both contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Celtics-Mavericks, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Mavericks ML (+116)
Over 224 (-110)
Luka Doncic to score 35+ points (+188)
Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 three-pointers made (-118)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here. We feel good about the Mavericks’ chances to pull off a minor upset of the Celtics, and a big night for Luka Doncic would obviously go a long way in that effort. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That’s the case with an over play on Jayson Tatum’s three-pointers, but even if Tatum does dial long distance more than a couple times there is no reason why Dallas can’t be successful.
Mavericks ML (+116)
The Mavericks will be playing the second game of a back-to-back situation on Tuesday. There should not be too much concern about their fatigue level, however, because Monday’s date with Memphis was their first outing since Feb. 14. At this rate they will be eager to get back out on the court as much as possible, and they also have momentum after taking care of the Grizzlies 102-92. Tim Hardaway Jr. went for 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting (7-of-11 from three-point range), which should have him back on track following three performances in which he scored less than his season average of 17.1 ppg. Kristaps Porzingis sat out Monday’s contest and is questionable for this one, but the Luka Doncic-Hardaway duo could be enough if Hardaway shoots like he did against Memphis. Boston has been in mostly dreadful form since beginning the season 8-3. The Celtics are now at .500, having gone 7-12 over their past 19 games. They have not won back-to-back contests since Jan. 24-25 and they haven’t won on the road since Feb. 5.
Over 224 (-110)
Porzingis presence would obviously help the point output, but he also helps on the defensive end–so his absence would be a boost for the Celtics’ effort on that end of the floor. Either way, this one should go over. In four of Dallas’ last seven games, the winning team has scored at least 127 points–including at least 143 on two occasions. The winning team has scored at least 120 points in each of Boston’s past three contests. The over is 12-5 in the Celtics’ last 17 following a loss. It is also 7-1 in the Mavericks’ last eight overall, 6-1 in their last seven at home, and 5-0 in their last five at home against opponents with losing road records.
Luka Doncic to score 35+ points (+188)
If Porzingis is out, even more of Dallas’ scoring burden will be placed on Doncic. Of course, even if Porzingis does play there is no reason why Doncic can’t go crazy. Hardaway played well on Monday, but prior to that performance his point totals in three previous outings were 16, eight, and 12. There is no guarantee that Doncic is going to get a ton of help in this one. The 21-year-old has scored at least 44 points in two of the last three games, so there is no reason why he can’t score at least 35 on Tuesday.
Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 three-pointers made (-118)
If there is one area where Dallas’ defense is lacking, it’s on the perimeter. The Mavericks are giving up the seventh-most three-pointers per game in the NBA (13.5) and they are in the bottom half of the league in opponents’ three-point percentage. Tatum is averaging eight three-point attempts over the past four contests and he has drained three triples in each of the past three.
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