The Boston Celtics returned home after a three-game road trip to face off against the Dallas Mavericks for the first time in the 2022-23 season Wednesday night.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic spoke highly of the Celtics’ young duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — both of whom have led Boston to an NBA-best 13-4 record — prior to tip off.
“I know people are trying to like separate them (Tatum and Brown) or something, but they stay together,” Doncic said, per video from Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend. “They went to the finals last year, could’ve won it or not. But I think those two, they’re really, really great players.”
Tatum has assembled a convincing early-league MVP campaign, but Doncic is also in the discussion. Entering the East versus West battle, Doncic in fact leads Tatum, according to the oddsmakers. While Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sits as the league favorite at +270 odds as of Wednesday — having averaged a double-double (30.1 points, 11.6 rebounds) thus far — Doncic sits runner-up (+280) and Tatum at third (+350), according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Doncic is in the early stages of a career season. The 23-year-old has averaged 33.5 points through 15 games — which has led the NBA — along with 9.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field, 28.8% from beyond the arc and 76% from the charity stripe.
Meanwhile, Tatum also has floated with career-best numbers. Tatum has averaged 30.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists, shooting 47.3% from the field, 35.6% from 3-point range and 86.8% from the free-throw line.
Tatum, who was previously listed as questionable, was upgraded to available, as announced by the Celtics.
The Celtics and Mavericks tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
