Preview: Mavericks at Celtics, Friday, March 6, 2026 BOSTON (Interstat) — A stark contrast in trajectories will be on display Friday night when the Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. The Celtics (41-21), firmly positioned in the Eastern Conference’s upper tier, look to rebound from a surprising 118-89 home loss to Charlotte on Wednesday. Despite that result, Boston has won seven of its last 10 games. They are installed as heavy 15-point favorites for Friday’s contest, with an over/under set at 224.5 points. Boston’s fortunes often follow the lead of All-Star Jaylen Brown, who is averaging a near triple-double over his last five games. In that span, Brown has posted 24.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists per contest, including a 32-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 22. The Mavericks (21-40), meanwhile, limp into Boston having lost eight of their last 10, including a 117-90 defeat in Charlotte on Tuesday. Dallas has lost four straight overall and possesses the league’s second-worst road record at 7-24. Guard Brandon Williams has been a bright spot during the slump, averaging 16.3 points and 5.0 assists over his last 10 games. He scored 18 points in the loss to Charlotte and posted a 19-point, 10-assist double-double in a win over Brooklyn on Feb. 24. The teams last met on Feb. 3 in Dallas, a 110-100 victory for the Celtics. Boston has won the last four head-to-head matchups. Following Friday’s game, the Celtics begin a three-game road trip Sunday in Cleveland. The Mavericks continue a six-game road swing Sunday in Toronto.