The 7-1 Boston Celtics haven’t lost since their season opener, while the 6-3 Dallas Mavericks are consistently flashing the scary potential they possess.

This battle will also be a head-to-head between two of the most respected head coaches in the Celtics’ Brad Stevens and the Mavs’ Rick Carlisle.

Tha Mavs’ offense

The Mavericks can score the ball and they are improving as they go along. They are sixth in scoring and first in offensive efficiency. Much of it was featured on Sunday’s 138-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, where they kept their foot on the gas and scored 31 or more points in each quarter. Eight different Mavericks also scored in double-digits.

Luka Doncic is locked for stardom

You’re lying if you don’t think he is. The kid is only 20 years old and he checks plenty of boxes in the skillset list. He’s offensively sound, hungry for the ball, a natural facilitator, and virtually unguardable when he gets into a groove. Look for the rising Euro star to continue boasting his all-around, team-leading averages of 27.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9. 1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

The Celtics will be minus Gordon Hayward… again

There’s an added pressure to the Celtics’ hope to keep up their great start, as Gordon Hayward is now sidelined with a fractured left hand. It’s yet another unfortunate injury for the veteran swingman, who prior to getting hurt was putting up 20.3 points on 56.3%-shooting.

With that, there’s wider opportunities for Jaylen Brown to further shine. He’s fourth in the team in scoring at 18.8 PPG behind Hayward, Kemba Walker (24.3 PPG), and Jayson Tatum (21.3). In the game where Hayward went down, Brown scored a team and season-high 30 points.

Walker and Tatum, of course, can be expected to produce more damage over the defense, with former having a favourable match-up against the Mavs’ guards and the latter heading into a possible duel with Luka Doncic.

The Celtics are winning by an average of 13 points (116 to 103.3) in their current seven-game winning streak and their defense is holding opponents to just 41.5%-shooting in that span.

PREDICTION:

The Celtics keep the streak alive through a balanced attack. Doncic will undoubtedly make his mark. The X factor will be if Kristaps Porzingis plays, as he’s still listed as a game-time decision. He sat out the previous game against the Grizzlies. With his injury history, it would be wise of Dallas to be careful with him.