Sports

Dallas Mavericks (21-41, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (41-21, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -15.5; over/under is 222

BOTTOM LINE: Dallas comes into the matchup with Boston as losers of five games in a row.

The Celtics are 20-10 in home games. Boston is fifth in the NBA with 12.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 3.0 offensive boards.

The Mavericks are 7-22 on the road. Dallas is 5-7 in one-possession games.

The Celtics average 114.5 points per game, 3.1 fewer points than the 117.6 the Mavericks give up. The Mavericks are shooting 47.0% from the field, 2.9% higher than the 44.1% the Celtics' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Celtics won 110-100 in the last matchup on Feb. 4. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33 points, and Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 36 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is shooting 39.2% and averaging 17.3 points for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 20.3 points over the last 10 games.

Flagg is averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 14.9 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 108.5 points, 50.2 rebounds, 27.2 assists, 5.5 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.7 points per game.

Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 110.0 points, 42.7 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.6 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Jayson Tatum: day to day (achilles).

Mavericks: Brandon Williams: day to day (quadriceps), Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Marvin Bagley III: day to day (neck).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Philadelphia 76ers (34-28, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (32-31, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Atlanta; Saturday, 6 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta hosts Philadelphia aiming to extend its four-game home winning streak.

The Hawks have gone 18-21 against Eastern Conference teams. Atlanta ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 51.8 points per game in the paint led by Jalen Johnson averaging 12.3.

The 76ers are 21-20 against conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 16.5 fast break points per game led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 5.6.

The Hawks average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more made shots on average than the 13.2 per game the 76ers give up. The 76ers average 115.8 points per game, 1.5 fewer than the 117.3 the Hawks allow to opponents.

The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Hawks won 117-107 in the last matchup on Feb. 20.

TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is shooting 49.1% and averaging 22.7 points for the Hawks. Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Maxey is averaging 28.9 points, 6.7 assists and two steals for the 76ers. VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15.4 points and 5.5 rebounds over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 118.2 points, 47.8 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 9.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game.

76ers: 4-6, averaging 111.4 points, 41.6 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 10.3 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.2 points.

INJURIES: Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (knee).

76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (oblique), VJ Edgecombe: day to day (back), Kelly Oubre Jr.: day to day (illness).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Indiana Pacers (15-47, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (37-25, sixth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -10; over/under is 234.5

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana comes into the matchup against Los Angeles as losers of seven games in a row.

The Lakers are 18-12 on their home court. Los Angeles is fifth in the Western Conference with 51.5 points per game in the paint led by LeBron James averaging 11.2.

The Pacers are 5-25 on the road. Indiana is 6-5 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Lakers are shooting 49.9% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point higher than the 48.9% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers' 45.0% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.5 percentage points lower than the Lakers have given up to their opponents (48.5%).

TOP PERFORMERS: Luka Doncic is averaging 32.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists for the Lakers. James is averaging 18.0 points over the last 10 games.

Pascal Siakam is averaging 24 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Pacers. Micah Potter is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 5-5, averaging 114.5 points, 39.1 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.

Pacers: 2-8, averaging 114.5 points, 40.1 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.6 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: LeBron James: day to day (elbow), Maxi Kleber: day to day (back), Deandre Ayton: day to day (knee).

Pacers: Pascal Siakam: day to day (wrist), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (back), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Aaron Nesmith: day to day (ankle), Ivica Zubac: out (ankle), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.