NBA Finals Odds & Betting Preview: Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Championship Schedule, Lines & Props
The NBA championship matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics is set to begin on Thursday. Let’s take a closer look at the NBA Finals odds and betting preview for the upcoming series.
Throughout the season, the Boston Celtics were regarded by many as one of the top teams in the league, a sentiment reflected in their consistently high NBA championship odds.
The Celtics have met expectations, with an impressive 12-2 postseason record leading them to the finals. Nevertheless, the historic team will be devastated if they fail to win the championship.
At the beginning of the season, few could have predicted that the Dallas Mavericks would be representing the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
There was a time when it was thought that Dallas would require the NBA Play-In Tournament to secure a spot in the playoffs. However, Luka Doncic’s exceptional performance in the final stretch has surpassed expectations, leading to him being considered a top contender for NBA Finals MVP.
The excitement of this matchup stems from both teams reaching their peak at the perfect moment after the conference finals. It’s a clash between the top team in the league and possibly the greatest player in the league. No matter what, the NBA Finals this year is sure to be packed with intriguing narratives.
Below is my analysis of the top NBA Finals odds and betting preview, as well as our player props for the Mavericks vs. Celtics matchup (odds provided by our top sports betting sites).
2024 NBA Finals schedule
| Game | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TD Garden (Boston) | Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) |
| 2 | TD Garden (Boston) | Sunday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC) |
| 3 | American Airlines Center (Dallas) | Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) |
| 4 | American Airlines Center (Dallas) | Friday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) |
| 5 | TD Garden (Boston) | Monday, June 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) |
| 6 | American Airlines Center (Dallas) | Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) |
| 7 | TD Garden (Boston) | Sunday, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC) |
Mavericks vs. Celtics stats breakdown
| Statistic | Mavericks | Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Regular season record | 50-32 | 64-18 |
| Playoff record | 12-5 | 12-2 |
| Head-to-head | 0-2 | 2-0 |
| Off rating (rank) | 117.6 (10th) | 123.2 (1st) |
| Def rating (rank) | 115.4 (18th) | 111.6 (3rd) |
| Net rating (rank) | +2.2 (14th) | +11.6 (1st) |
| Top scorer (PPG) | Luka Doncic (33.9) | Jayson Tatum (26.9) |
| Top rebounder (RPG) | Luka Doncic (9.2) | Jayson Tatum (8.1) |
| Top passer (APG) | Luka Doncic (9.8) | Derrick White (5.2) |
The Celtics have dominated all season with the top record in the NBA and the statistics to support it. It is no easy feat to rank in the top three in offensive or defensive rating, but Boston excelled in both categories. The Celtics boast the best starting lineup in the NBA.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are not only established All-Stars known for their scoring abilities, but they are also among the top two-way players in the league. Surrounding them with defensive talents like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White is a formidable combination. And let’s not forget about Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, who is anticipated to make a significant impact in the NBA Finals after missing the past two series.
Dallas may struggle against Boston’s skilled and experienced top six players, but Doncic is unmatched in his ability to take control of games. Leading in multiple playoff categories, he is one of the most prolific scorers in recent NBA history. Paired with former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks have one of the most talented duos in the league.
The outcome of the series may depend on the performance of Dallas’ frontcourt. Gafford, Lively II, Washington, and Jones Jr. have all been key players for the Mavericks in the playoffs. Can they maintain their defensive prowess against a strong Boston team?
Mavericks vs. Celtics odds
| Market | Mavericks | Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | +184 via FanDuel | -210 via DraftKings |
| Series spread | +1.5 games (-114 via FanDuel) | -1.5 games (+100 via Caesars) |
| Series total games | Over 5.5 (-150 via DraftKings) | Under 5.5 (+135 via bet365) |
| Game 1 winner | +210 via FanDuel | -230 via DraftKings |
| Game 1 spread | +6.5 (-110 via bet365) | -6.5 (-110 via BetMGM) |
| Game 1 total | Over 214.5 (-108 via FanDuel) | Under 214.5 (-110 via BetMGM) |
| Finals MVP favorite | Luka Doncic (+215 via Caesars) | Jayson Tatum (-115 via DraftKings) |
Taking a step back and examining the series as a whole, it’s hard not to have a slight bias towards Boston. Throughout the year, the Celtics have proven themselves to be the top team, boasting an impressive 12-2 record in the playoffs despite some minor setbacks. The fact that they have had to rally from behind in a few games, particularly against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, only adds to their strength as a team.
They have shown that in difficult situations, they have experienced veterans who can lead a comeback and perform at their best when it matters most. Our top sportsbooks would agree that Boston is the superior team on paper. The Celtics have the longest odds to win the series at -210, suggesting a 67.74% chance of winning the title according to our odds converter. However, betting on those odds would only result in a $4.76 profit on a $10 bet.
I believe focusing on different odds for the series and individual games would be a more strategic choice. The series spread odds are fair no matter which team you choose, and combining them with the total games odds is a smart move. In my opinion, Boston will win the series in six games, making the Celtics’ -1.5 series spread and the Over 5.5 total games a good pairing.
When considering the NBA Finals MVP market, your choice may be influenced by which team you believe will ultimately take home the championship. With Doncic playing a crucial role as the driving force behind the Mavericks, he is a strong candidate for MVP if you are rooting for Dallas to win it all. And with favorable +215 odds, a $10 bet could result in a $21.50 profit if Doncic is named MVP.
The Celtics present a slight challenge. While Tatum is their top player, the team boasts a lot of talent, allowing him to not always have to dominate on the stat sheet. A prime illustration of this is seen in the ECF matchup against the Pacers, where Brown stood out and was awarded the series MVP title for averaging 29.8 points. His chances of winning the Finals MVP title are currently at +650 according to DraftKings. However, Tatum, with odds at -115, is still a solid bet with a win probability of 53.49%.
Mavericks vs. Celtics series player props
| Series leader | Mavericks | Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Total points | Luka Doncic (-135 via BetMGM) | Jayson Tatum (+270 via DraftKings) |
| Total rebounds | Luka Doncic (+180 via DraftKings) | Jayson Tatum (-105 via bet365) |
| Total assists | Luka Doncic (-500 via bet365) | Jayson Tatum (+1200 via DraftKings) |
| Total threes | Luka Doncic (+120 via BetMGM) | Derrick White (+350 via BetMGM) |
It is evident that the market is dominated by the top performers from each team, with Doncic standing out with impressive statistics comparable to Larry Bird’s prime. In the playoffs, he has been averaging 28.8 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.8 APG, and 3.4 made 3-pointers per game, making him a strong contender to lead in multiple categories.
Given Doncic’s high usage rate and the fact that Dallas relies on his scoring to secure a series win, the odds of -135 for him to score the most total points are a good bet. In the playoffs, he is averaging 29.6 combined field goals and free throws per game, which is 2.1 more than Tatum, and he is making 1.3 more threes per game as well.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to avoid betting on the total assists prop. Doncic is highly favored to have the most assists in the series, with odds of -500, indicating an 83.33% chance of winning, but only resulting in a $2 profit on a $10 bet.
Doncic’s +120 odds to lead the series in threes offer the best combination of probability and price. This prop is favored at other top sports betting sites and Doncic is averaging the same number of made threes per game as White. However, he is taking more shots, playing more minutes, and will likely need to make more threes for the Mavericks to stay competitive.
Tatum is likely to dominate in rebounds during the series, with an average of 10.4 per game in the postseason. His strong performance in this category is comparable to Tom Brady’s success in winning Super Bowl rings. With Dallas allowing the sixth-highest number of rebounds per game to opponents this season (45.1), the -105 odds offer good value for Tatum’s potential success.
NBA Finals prediction
This NBA Finals is sure to be an exciting event. Doncic is an incredibly talented player and, like Nikola Jokic before him, just wants to celebrate with a post-victory beer. However, despite his skills, the chances of winning the series against this Boston team seem as unlikely as the Dallas Cowboys winning a Super Bowl under Mike McCarthy.
The Celtics’ roster has been expertly constructed by general manager Brad Stevens, while head coach Joe Mazzulla has consistently proven his ability to lead the team effectively. Despite occasional poor performances in the playoffs, Boston has shown resilience and come back to win, such as their impressive comeback from an 18-point deficit against the Pacers.
This is why I believe the Mavericks lack the necessary support for Doncic to beat Boston in four games, unless Irving dominates the Celtics’ defense like he did Lucky the Leprechaun. Although Irving is incredibly skilled, his inconsistency with five games under 20 points in the playoffs could be detrimental against Boston.
However, despite this, Doncic remains a strong contender to excel in several player prop categories. He will be the primary scorer in the series and has the freedom from Jason Kidd to shoot as often as he pleases. This is why I believe the odds for him to lead the series in three-pointers are the most favorable prop for the Finals.
However, ultimately, the championship is Boston’s to lose. It would be a beautiful story to see Bill Walton’s childhood favorite team, whom he won a championship with in 1986, take home the title. Adding to the beauty is the fact that Walton was a strong supporter of the Pac-12, and the Celtics have three former stars from the conference in their starting lineup. Prediction: Boston wins in six.
Top choice: Bet on Doncic to have the most 3-pointers made in the series (+120 odds at BetMGM)
NBA Finals predictions
- Mavericks vs. Celtics player props Game 1
- Mavericks vs. Celtics parlay Game 1
- Luka Doncic odds and player props Game 1
- Jayson Tatum odds and player props Game 1
- NBA Finals expert picks
- NBA Finals MVP odds, predictions
How to bet on the NBA Finals
It is important to understand the different types of bets available for NBA games, such as prop bets, spread bets, and Over/Under bets, before making any wagers. Deciding what to bet on is crucial, just like choosing the best sports betting apps to place your bets. After that, conduct thorough research on the teams, players, and recent performances, taking into account factors like injuries, team dynamics, and home-court advantage.
Examine the critical player matchups and their potential impact on the game. Take into account scenarios such as a team with a strong center facing off against a team with weak interior defense, which could heavily sway the game. Evaluate how each team’s strengths complement the weaknesses of their opponent – for instance, a team proficient in three-point shooting may hold an edge over a team lacking perimeter defense.
Injuries have the potential to greatly affect game results. Stay informed on the most recent injury updates and player conditions. The absence of a key player can alter the game dynamics. Analyze recent team performances to see how they have been playing. Teams that are in top form heading into the Finals usually have momentum on their side. Consider factors such as winning streaks, defensive and offensive strengths, and performance against tough opponents.
By integrating these tactics into your NBA Finals betting strategy, you can increase your chances of making well-informed and profitable bets. It is important to always gamble responsibly and stay within your limits.
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Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Underscoreg Promos (U.S. only)
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