The Boston Celtics are now just one win away from a first NBA Championship since 2008 and they may well seal the deal in Dallas on Saturday morning.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30am BST and just a couple of hours later we could see the new holders of the Larry O’Brien trophy as Boston look simply unstoppable, with the Mavericks failing to come up with any answers to the questions Joe Mazzulla’s side are asking.
Jason Kidd needs to find some improvement out of somewhere to keep this series alive, but it could be another disappointing night for the Mavs.
NBA betting tips
- Boston Celtics Money Line @ 10/11
- Jrue Holiday over 4.5 assists @ 20/23
- Dereck Lively over 8.5 rebounds @ Evs
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Boston Celtics Money Line @ 10/11
Kristaps Porzingis returned for the start of this series and the big man’s presence and shooting prowess made things extremely easy for the Celtics as they roared into a two-game lead.
He was absent for game three though and, with the series heading back to Dallas, the Mavericks’ confidence would have been high as they looked to keep the trophy within reaching distance.
However, things did not go to plan. Boston secured a seven-point victory – just as they did in Game 2 – suggesting the Mavericks simply do not have the tools to stop the Celtics, Porzingis or not.
Jrue Holiday and Derrick White have marshalled superstar guards Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic superbly, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have improved their shooting as the series has progressed.
It is difficult to envisage Kidd, a coach with limited playoff experience, suddenly finding the answers to cope with Boston’s myriad of superstars and his Mavs side could go down without a whimper as the Celtics complete the sweep and take home the title.
Jrue Holiday over 4.5 assists @ 20/23
Holiday has been an exceptional defender for his whole NBA career and he has showcased that in this series, with many touting him to be named as the Finals MVP.
It is no coincidence that the Celtics have improved massively since his arrival and he will go down as the final piece of the jigsaw should they tie up the title and, while his defensive presence has been immense, his attacking output should not be underplayed.
The former Milwaukee Bucks guard registered five assists in Game 1 and repeated the trick in Game 3. Holiday only managed three in Game 2, but his teammates’ woeful shooting could be to blame for that as Boston shot a measly 25.6 percent from three.
The Celtics improved to a 37 percent clip from beyond the arc in Game 3 on Thursday and with their confidence growing and the likes of Tatum and Brown hitting shots with frequency, Holiday should be backed to put in a high-class playmaking performance and notch five assists or more.
Dereck Lively over 8.5 rebounds @ Evs
One shining light from the Mavs’ damning Game 3 defeat was the improvement from Dereck Lively, who registered a huge 13 rebounds.
Lively has spent the series starting on the bench, with Daniel Gafford being Kidd’s preferred big man, but he impressed in Game 3 and was rewarded with 30 minutes of playing time – Gafford got just 16.
The Dallas centre claimed five rebounds in 18 minutes in Game 1 and then seven in one minute more in Game 2.
But, after such an impressive performance in Game 3, he could see his play-time increased again, making his 8.5 rebounds line look easily achievable as he battles to keep his side’s title hopes alive.
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