The battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy is slated to begin on Thursday when Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals gets underway from TD Garden in Boston. Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are set to square off against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in a star-studded showdown. Boston enters Game 1 of the NBA Finals ranked second among teams in points per game (111.4) in the 2024 NBA playoffs. The Mavericks. meanwhile, are averaging 107.9 points per contest and have won five consecutive games on the road.
Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. The latest Mavericks vs. Celtics odds from SportsLine consensus list Boston as 6.5-point favorites, while the over/under for total points scored is 216.5. Before locking in any Celtics vs. Mavericks picks for the 2024 NBA Finals, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered the 2024 NBA Finals on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Mavs and just locked in its picks and NBA Finals predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Mavs vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Mavericks spread: Boston -6.5
- Celtics vs. Mavericks over/under: 216.5 points
- Celtics vs. Mavericks money line: Boston -250, Dallas +200
- BOS: The total has gone Over in five of Boston’s past six games
- DAL: The Mavericks are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against Boston
- Celtics vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
Doncic is able to impact the game consistently. Doncic is a three-level scorer with a limitless range. The 25-year-old also has pinpoint accuracy as a facilitator to create good opportunities for his teammates. In the Western Conference finals, Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. On May 28, Doncic racked up 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Timberwolves.
Dallas’ offense has been effective in multiple aspects, with Doncic being the engine. The Mavericks average 107.9 points and 22.4 assists in the postseason, while shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, defensively, the Mavericks are holding opponents to 103.9 points in the playoffs and forcing them to shoot 32% from 3-point land. See which team to pick here.
Why the Celtics can cover
The Celtics’ biggest advantage is they have multiple shot-creators and proven playmakers. They are first among playoff teams in 3-pointers made (14.6) and 3-point percentage (39.8%). The Celtics also have four players averaging double-digit points per game in the postseason.
Tatum has a variety of moves including a reliable jumper from the perimeter. The Duke product heads into the 2024 NBA Finals playing great basketball. In the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, Tatum logged 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. On May 25, he notched 36 points, 10 boards, eight dimes, and made five 3-pointers. He has recorded 30-plus points four times in the 2024 NBA playoffs. See which team to pick here.
How to make Mavericks vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 220 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model’s NBA playoff picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Mavericks, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 94-61 on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
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- Celtics vs. Mavericks odds, score prediction, time: 2024 NBA Finals picks, Game 1 bets by proven model
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