The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics met in Dallas on Saturday for their first matchup since last season's NBA Finals. Dallas was missing many key pieces, including starters Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II, while Boston was wrapping up a four-game road trip.

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Derrick White added 23, including Boston’s first 11 of the third quarter, and the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 on Saturday night in the first meeting between the teams since the NBA Finals.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford recently joined ANTA Basketball, strengthening a growing partnership with his teammate Kyrie Irving, the brand’s Chief Creative Officer.

READ MORE: Three-point barrage carries Celtics over Mavericks in NBA Finals rematch, 122-107

The Dallas Mavericks returned home to host the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in a Saturday matinee on ABC and ESPN. The Mavericks lost to the Celtics 122-107 in an NBA Finals rematch at the American Airlines Center.

A tough night for Dallas in their highly anticipated rematch, with challenges on and off the court shaping the team's immediate future.

Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) has his shot blocked by Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21 ... Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics in their next three games. Mike is the Mavericks Beat Writer for The Dallas Morning News.

In a rematch of the 2024 NBA finals, the defending champion Boston Celtics visited the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

On Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley wondered whether the Mavs could go and get former Boston Celtics stretch-five Kelly Olynyk, who is currently playing for the Toronto Raptors.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accounted for 21 of the Thunder’s 34 first-quarter points as they lead by 14 over the Warriors at the first break. The MVP candidate has gone 7-for-8 from the floor and 6-for-7 from the line, and is giving the Warriors defense all kinds of issues.

Gilgeous-Alexander logged the second 50-point effort of his career. He put up 54 in a home win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 22. Gilgeous-Alexander, who singlehandedly outscored the Warriors in the first quarter with a 21-point performance, finished 16-for-29 from the field. He padded his point total with an 18-for-21 night at the free-throw line.

Jalen Brunson had 30 points and 15 assists, OG Anunoby scored 23 points and the New York Knicks beat the Denver Nuggets, 122-112, on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) for their fifth straight victory. Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points,