Tatum, White help Celtics pull away to beat Mavericks 122-107 in first meeting since NBA Finals

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) gestures after scoring a 3-point basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, center, looks for an opening against Dallas Mavericks defenders Quentin Grimes (5) and Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, center top, shoots against Boston Celtics defenders Kristaps Porzingis (8) and Derrick White (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) and Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) jump for the tip-off starting the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) looks to move the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) smiles at Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots against Dallas Mavericks defenders Klay Thompson (31), Daniel Gafford (21) and Kyrie Irving, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

DALLAS (AP) — 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.

Jaylen Brown added 22 points as the defending champions bounced back from a 21-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, their most lopsided defeat this season.

The Celtics shrugged off an early 16-6 deficit and led by as many as 25 points in the third period. White scored 16 in the period.

Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, Quentin Grimes added 20 off the bench and Daniel Gafford had 19 points and matched a season high with 15 rebounds for the Mavericks, who are 5-11 since superstar Luka Doncic was sidelined with a calf strain on Christmas Day,

The teams will complete their two-game season series Feb. 6 at Boston.

Takeaways

Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis scored 18 points in his first game back in Dallas following the Feb. 10, 2022, trade that sent him from the Mavericks to Washington. Porzingis sat out his four previous visits, including Games 3 and 4 of last year’s finals, with injuries.

Mavericks: Down to two centers, backup Maxi Kleber fractured his right foot and left the game late in the third quarter. Kleber will be re-evaluated next week.

Key moment

With Dallas trailing by 21 points in the final minute of the third quarter, the home fans had to fend off the first of multiple “Let’s go Celtics! Let’s go Celtics!” chants.

Key stat

The Celtics, NBA leaders in 3-pointers made (17.8) and attempted (48.9) per game, went 2 of 8 in the first period but finished 20 of 52.

Up next

Both teams will be home Monday, the Celtics against Houston and the Mavericks vs. Washington.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba