The Celtics meet the Mavericks again for the second time in two weeks as they could see the new-look Dallas squad for the first time. The Mavs are fresh off making the stunning Luka Doncic trade last weekend with the Lakers.
On the Celtics' side, they’re trying to string together victories as they’re currently on a four-game win streak, fresh off a win over the Cavaliers. They have Jrue Holiday listed as questionable for the 7:30 p.m. Thursday game at TD Garden.
Holiday is listed with right shoulder impingement, which has been a lingering injury he’s dealt with for the past several weeks. The C’s could look to give Holiday the night off Thursday. The All-Star break is also next week, which gives him a chance to get some extended time off.
On the Mavs' side, Anthony Davis could soon make his Dallas debut. He was the main piece they got in the Doncic trade. Davis is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game while four other Mavs are out in Dereck Lively II (ankle), P.J. Washington (personal reasons), Dwight Powell (hip) and Caleb Martin (trade pending).
So, yes, it’s an NBA Finals rematch Thursday between the two teams. But the main subplot is how the Mavs will look in the post-Doncic era. If the Mavs are going to win in the short-term, they’ll need to start winning games for a better shot in the playoffs.
