Dallas Mavericks: Searching for .500 at home vs. Boston

The Dallas Mavericks have not been above .500 since the third game of the season, but they are looking to get back even tonight against the Boston Celtics. What would that mean for this team?

If you hadn’t heard yet, the Dallas Mavericks are looking better and better as this season goes on. Luka Doncic is looking like a bonafide star and could be a regular in the NBA All-Star game down the road. Harrison Barnes, Dennis Smith Jr. and DeAndre Jordan have been a great surrounding cast and the bench has been strong so far this year.

For the first time in years, the Mavs look like a team that could actually compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Dallas was a powerhouse in the West for so many years that it was tough to see them drop out of the playoff race over the past two seasons. This may not be the year that they get back in, but it is definitely on its way.

The Boston Celtics came into this year expecting to be the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. After some really impressive play last year and a very impressive playoff series against the Cavs where they nearly won without arguably their two best players, the Celtics were expecting to be a great team this year.

The Celtics are currently sitting at 10-9, a reasonable standing this early in the season, but definitely lower than they expected themselves to be. Boston has had a pretty healthy team for the most part this year, but Gordon Hayward still doesn’t appear to be himself.

The Mavs will be missing Dwight Powell and Dirk Nowitzki for sure tonight. Dennis Smith Jr. and Wesley Matthews will be game time decisions for tonight as both are suffering from lingering injuries.

Gordon Hayward will be out for the Celtics tonight, which may not be the worst thing for Boston. Jaylen Brown will likely start in his place.

The Mavs and Celtics will tip-off at 7:30pm central time tonight. The game is being played in Dallas at the American Airlines Center. Let’s go Mavs!