MAVS (6-3) at CELTICS (7-1)
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Place: TD Garden, Boston
TV: FSSW/NBA TV
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: This is the second of a three-game road trip for the Mavs. The trip opened with Saturday’s 138-122 victory in Memphis and will conclude with Thursday’s game in New York against the Knicks. . .One of the surprise teams in the NBA this season, the Mavs are 4-0 on the road and are the only team in the league without a blemish on the road. This is the second-best start on the road to a season in Mavs’ history. The best? During the 2002-03 season, the Mavs opened by winning their first seven road games. . . Forward Kristaps Porzingis (injury recovery/left knee) will be back in the starting lineup after missing the game against Memphis. . .Luka Doncic has four triple-doubles this season and has missed two others by 1 assist (Portland) and 2 assists (Memphis). Doncic averages 27.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg and 9.1 apg, Porzingis is averaging 20.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 2.6 bpg, and Tim Hardaway Jr. averages 11.9 ppg. Following this three-game road trip, the Mavs return home to host the world champion Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
About the Celtics: The Celtics got some devastating news when forward Gordon Hayward fractured his left hand during the team’s 20-point win in San Antonio. Hayward was injured when he ran into Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who was trying to set a screen on the play. Hayward went into the game against the Spurs playing at an All-Star level with averages of 20.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg, while shooting a sizzling 56.4 percent from the field and a brisk 44.4 percent from 3-point range. . .Boston’s other top-level players include Kemba Walker (24.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Jayson Tatum (21.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg), and Jaylen Brown (18.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg). . .The Celtics have the best record in the NBA and are 3-0 at home. This is the opener of a two-game home stand for the Celtics, who host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday before hitting the road for a five-game road trip that starts Friday at the Golden State Warriors. . .The Celtics are 40-36 all-time against the Mavs, including 24-14 in Boston.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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