For the second time this season, the Boston Celtics will play the Dallas Mavericks on national TV, as Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smart has reported that their upcoming matchup (Dec. 18) will be aired on ESPN.
Last month, the league opted to replace a nationally televised game between the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans with the Celtics – Mavs showdown. Boston would defeat Dallas thanks to 54 combined points from Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown, the latter of whom has arguably been the team’s best player this season.
The Boston Celtics game at the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday 12/18 has been moved to 9:30 PM EST and will be on ESPN.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 3, 2019
At 14-6, the Mavericks have a record nearly identical to the Celtics’ 14-5 record but while Dallas has a record of 8-1 in their last nine games, Boston has went 6-3in their last nine games despite dealing with constant change thanks to a myriad of injuries and illnesses. That points to the amount of talent the Celtics have and how well they’ve fit to start the season, although they’ve benefited from only having three of their top four players on the floor for half of the season.
Boston went 7-1 in those games but five of those contests came against teams with a record that’s currently far under .500.
Nonetheless, the Celtics should be able to defeat the Mavericks despite the impressive play of their star Luka Doncic, who will be the best player on the floor on Dec. 18 no matter who is healthy for Boston. Doncic has averaged 30.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field, proving to be must-see TV with how he showcases exceptional court vision and scoring instincts.
It’ll be another good test for Boston, who may even have forward Gordon Hayward back as he continues to progress from a hand surgery he had to repair a fractured fourth metacarpal in his left hand.