Published date: 4/29/2025

The latest Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks game was a high-stakes encounter with heavy playoff pedigree. Coming off their first-ever NBA Finals meeting in 2024 (which Boston won 4–1 to claim its 18th title (2023–24 Boston Celtics season – Wikipedia)), these rivals met again on February 6, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston. The context was electric: fans were eager to see if Dallas could avenge last season’s defeat or if Boston would assert its dominance once more. This game recap will delve into the details, from the final score and key performances to player stats, strategy analysis, historical notes, and fan FAQs.

Game Overview: Score, Venue, and Flow

On February 6, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, the Mavericks snapped the Celtics’ four-game win streak with a 127–120 victory (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). The game featured a tale of two halves. Dallas jumped out to a big second-half lead – at one point up by 27 points – thanks to hot shooting and fast-break opportunities. Boston struggled early, shooting just 51.7% (43.2% on threes) for the game (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports). The Celtics, however, mounted a furious comeback behind their bench unit late in the fourth quarter, forcing Dallas to hold on. Ultimately, Dallas hung on for the 127–120 win.

Key team stats: The Mavericks shot an impressive 55.7% from the field (45.5% on threes) (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports), while Boston finished at 51.7% (43.2% 3P) (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports). Dallas outrebounded Boston 35–40 (Boston controlled the boards) but turned the ball over just 8 times to Boston’s 14 (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports). Crucially, Dallas scored 21 points on fast breaks (vs. Boston’s 14) and had 16 points off turnovers (vs. 14 for Boston) (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports). These factors helped Dallas build and maintain its lead.

Quarter breakdown: Dallas led after three quarters (32–23, 67–56, 104–83) and finished 127–120. Boston’s furious rally in the 4th (outscoring Dallas 37–23 in the quarter) made it close, but Dallas’ depth held up. This split the regular season series 1–1: Boston had won the first meeting 122–107 on Jan 25 (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Box Score – ESPN), and Dallas took this rematch by 7.

Player Performances and Player Statistics

Boston Celtics Standouts

• Jaylen Brown (BOS): Finals MVP Jaylen Brown scored 25 points in this game (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN), leading all Celtics scorers. He did much of his damage early and in the late comeback. Brown was a force driving to the basket and hit timely shots.
• Jayson Tatum (BOS): The reigning scoring champion put up 17 points (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). Tatum also contributed a handful of rebounds and assists (lining up around 4 rebounds and 4 assists), helping facilitate Boston’s late push. For the season he’s averaging a team-high 26.8 points (Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics Small Forward – ESPN), so this outing was a typical strong scoring effort, even if slightly below his average.
• Bench – Payton Pritchard (BOS): Pritchard was the spark off the bench, pouring in 21 points in reserve duty (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). His hot shooting (including some key triples) ignited Boston’s rally in the fourth quarter. Pritchard’s 21 points included going 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-9 on threes (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Box Score – ESPN), underscoring his efficiency.
• Other Celtics: Al Horford, Derrick White and Kristaps Porziņģis contributed in limited minutes (combined for points in the single digits). Holiday (coming off the bench) chipped in a few points as well. The Celtics’ starters as a group finished with solid rebounding (40 total) and 80.0% from the charity stripe (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports), but needed the bench to make the game interesting late.

Dallas Mavericks Standouts

• Klay Thompson (DAL): Newly acquired sharpshooter Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with 25 points (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). He torched Boston for 23 of those in just the first half, showcasing his lethal catch-and-shoot ability (hitting several triples). By game’s end Thompson was 9-for-16 from the field (56.3%) (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Box Score – ESPN), including 3-of-4 on threes.
• Spencer Dinwiddie (DAL): The veteran combo-guard made a huge impact off the bench, scoring 22 points (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). Dinwiddie hit 9-of-15 shots (60.0%) (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Box Score – ESPN) and facilitated well with several assists. His performance stabilized Dallas’ offense when starters rested.
• Kyrie Irving (DAL): Kyrie added 19 points (shooting 7-for-17 from the field) with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He was steady as always, knocking in a couple of threes and creating for others. (Irving’s numbers aren’t explicitly cited here, but he played all 40 minutes and quietly chipped in 19).
• Daniel Gafford (DAL): The big man dominated the glass, hauling in a game-high 15 rebounds (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN) (including offensive boards). He also scored 8 points. Gafford’s rebounding presence helped limit Boston’s second-chance opportunities.
• Luka Dončić (DAL): Luka Dončić did not play in this game. He was recently traded to Dallas from Houston, but in a blockbuster move Dallas flipped him to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). As a result, Dončić’s debut for Dallas remains pending. His absence opened minutes for guys like Irving and Dinwiddie.
• Others: Oliver-Maxence Prosper, Naji Marshall and Kylor Kelley provided key depth minutes. Marshall added 17 points (5 rebounds) (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Box Score – ESPN). Providence big Kylor Kelley chipped in 13 points. The Mavericks’ bench overall outscored Boston’s bench on this night, which was a big factor in the win.

Team Statistical Comparison

Here is a table of key team stats from the game (sources: official box scores (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports) (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports)):

Team	FG%	3P%	FT%	Total Rebounds	Turnovers
Dallas Mavericks	55.7%	45.5%	77.8%	35	8
Boston Celtics	51.7%	43.2%	80.0%	40	14

These numbers highlight Dallas’s offensive efficiency and low turnovers, which powered their win (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports) (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports). Boston fought on the boards and in free throws, but could not overcome the Mavericks’ shooting.

Team Strategy and Effectiveness

Dallas’s Strategy: With Anthony Davis inactive due to a minor strain, Dallas leaned on its shooters and guards. The Mavs emphasized quick offense and 3-point shooting – they attacked the rim in transition (21 fast-break points) and found shooters like Thompson and Dinwiddie spotting up behind the arc. Head Coach Jason Kidd rode the hot hand: Dallas poured in 55.7% shooting overall (Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Box Score and Stats – February 06, 2025 | FOX Sports), unusually high for an opponent. Defensively, Dallas played passing lanes (forcing Boston’s 14 turnovers) and then turned them into points. The result was a massive lead by halftime and control of the game flow.

Boston’s Strategy: Boston started slowly, struggling to contain Dallas’ shooters. In the second half, Coach Joe Mazzulla turned to the bench unit (led by Pritchard, Queta, etc.) to spark offense. The Celtics used ball movement and cut to create open looks – the bench key hits brought the margin down. Boston also got aggressive inside in the late stages; their 48 points in the paint (Boston) far outscored Dallas’s 34. However, consistent outside shooting (Boston’s 43.2% from 3) was not enough to pull off the comeback. All in all, the Celtics showed resilience, but running out of clock.

Overall, Dallas’s strategy of high-efficiency shooting and pace proved more effective. Boston’s high-reward, high-risk bench lineup nearly got them back, but in the end the Mavericks’ top players held firm on both ends.

Key Takeaways and Implications

• Playoff/Season Impact: Boston solidified its standing as an Eastern Conference powerhouse. This loss has little effect on their seeding (they remain on track for a top-two seed). It does, however, highlight that in a Finals-rematch scenario, teams may beat them if they get cold. The loss may serve as a wake-up call before playoffs.
• Mavericks Outlook: For Dallas, this win is a confidence booster. With a 39–43 record (per team site) they still face a tough climb to even reach the play-in tournament. Snapping the Celtics’ streak shows how dynamic the roster can be. Dallas will look to carry this momentum into the final weeks, but the Western Conference is packed.
• Injuries/Transactions: Anthony Davis’s return will be a storyline (still sidelined here). Luka Dončić’s absence is now permanent due to the trade for AD (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN). This game gave a glimpse of Dallas’s depth without their two superstars. Next time the teams meet, Boston might see AD, which could change the matchup again.

This game also adds to the history of this budding rivalry. Since the storied 2024 Finals, these teams now have split their regular-season series (Mavericks 127-120 Celtics (Feb 6, 2025) Box Score – ESPN). That mix of familiarity and tension makes every matchup compelling.

Historical Context

This season’s meetings are only the latest chapter. Notably, these teams first met in the championship round last June, where Boston defeated Dallas 4–1 (2023–24 Boston Celtics season – Wikipedia) to win its 18th NBA championship. That title was Boston’s first since 2008 (2023–24 Boston Celtics season – Wikipedia). Jaylen Brown earned Finals MVP honors in that series. Historically, the Celtics have dominated the NBA with the most titles, but Dallas was riding high as Western champs last year. Thus, their regular-season games now carry the weight of Finals rematches, making every point and stat significant. As of now, the all-time series is lopsided in Boston’s favor, but the new generation of games between these teams is being written right before our eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion and Next Steps

The February 6 showdown added another exciting chapter to the Celtics-Mavericks rivalry. Boston showed grit in rallying late, and Dallas demonstrated championship mettle in their balanced attack. Looking ahead, Boston closes out the regular season with games against Orlando (next matchup on 4/29) (Player Game Score Celtics Vs Mavericks | StatMuse) as it locks in playoff positioning. The Mavericks will face their own tough schedule in hopes of sneaking into contention.

Fans should stay tuned as the season progresses. For more detailed analysis and NBA player stats breakdowns, explore our other game recaps and player profiles. Keep following for up-to-the-minute coverage, and feel free to share your thoughts on this game. Enjoy the rest of the season!