2024 NBA Finals Preview: Mavericks vs. Celtics Odds & Predictions
It’s been a long wait for the NBA Finals, but it’s finally approaching. In a couple of days, Game 1 will begin between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.
The Mavericks have already defied the odds. They became just the eighth team in the NBA over the last 40 years to make the Finals after opening the season with odds of +2500 or worse.
But will the dream season finally end against NBA Finals favorite Boston? Below is a full preview of the NBA Finals.
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NBA Finals Preview: Mavericks vs. Celtics Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Series Winner
Ultimately, this will be a tighter series than some might suggest. I don’t want to discredit what the Celtics have accomplished. Getting to the NBA Finals is difficult, regardless of circumstances. However, the Celtics had a pretty easy road in the Eastern Conference and still looked slightly above average.
While the Celtics added a four-game sweep over the Pacers, Indiana was in three of those four games and didn’t have Tyrese Haliburton toward the end of the series.
Before that series, the Celtics escaped Cleveland, who didn’t have Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell later on.
In the series before that, the Celtics easily beat the Miami Heat, who didn’t have Jimmy Butler.
While the Celtics also didn’t have Kristaps Porzingis for most of the playoffs, it felt like they underperformed against shorthanded teams in the playoffs. While the Pacers couldn’t close, the Mavericks will be behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
This Dallas team embarrassed the Timberwolves and added three road wins in a five-game series. Minnesota wasn’t dealing with any significant injuries.
Bet: Dallas Mavericks (+184)
NBA Finals MVP
In five games against the Timberwolves, Luka Doncic scored 32.4 points per game with 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists. While he shot 47.3% from the floor, he still hit 43.4% from downtown on nearly 11 three-point attempts per game. Doncic also has a knack for getting to the foul line and took almost eight attempts per game.
If the Mavericks win the series, you’ll want to consider Doncic to win the MVP.
Bet: Luka Doncic (+200)
NBA Finals Exacta Total Games
This is an interesting matchup for the Celtics and Mavericks. The Celtics typically defend well. They’ve held opponents to 21.6% of offensive rebounds and have allowed the lowest free throw rate in the NBA this season on the defensive end. However, the Celtics have also allowed a 53.7% effective field goal percentage, which is only the 10th-best in the NBA. If Dallas gets hot, none of the other stats will matter.
The Mavericks’ effective field goal percentage is 55.1% this season, third-best in the NBA.
On the other hand, the Celtics aren’t as efficient on the offensive glass or at getting to the foul line offensively. While the Celtics shoot an effective field goal percentage of 57.2%, the Mavericks have held teams to a 51.4% effective field goal percentage.
Ultimately, Dallas will force tougher shots, but the Celtics will succeed more on the defensive glass and limit foul shots. It will be a tight series that has the potential to reach seven games.
Bet: 7 Games (+190)
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