Dallas at Boston

This Mavericks-Celtics matchup is more about who is in rather than who is out. Boston superstar Jayson Tatum is expected to make his season debut. He has been out all season after tearing his Achilles tendon 10 months ago. Tatum was the fifth leading scorer in the NBA last season at 26.8 points per game. Tatum impacts Boston's offense in many ways, including speeding up its slow pace. Star rookie Cooper Flagg returned to the Mavericks last night and scored 18 points against the Magic in a 115-114 Dallas road loss. Flagg, who leads the Mavericks in scoring and assists, had missed the previous eight games with a sprained left foot. The Celtics should be fired up after an embarrassing 118-89 home loss to the Hornets in their last game two days ago. Dallas has allowed 120 points or more in eight of its last 12 games. The Mavericks rank 22nd defensively. Take the OVER.