The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks will soon compete for the Larry O'Brien trophy in the NBA Finals, and we've got all of the betting odds and expert picks you desire for the last best-of-seven series of the 2024 playoffs.
Here's a look at everything you need to know for this matchup, from the recent history between the two teams to all key betting odds.
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Hub
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Thursday, June 6, 2024 | 8:30 p.m. | TD Garden |
| Game 2 | Sunday, June 9, 2024 | 8 p.m. | TD Garden |
| Game 3 | Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | 8:30 p.m. | American Airlines Center |
| Game 4 | Friday, June 14, 2024 | 8:30 p.m. | American Airlines Center |
| Game 5 (if necessary) | Monday, June 17, 2024 | 8:30 p.m. | TD Garden |
| Game 6 (if necessary) | Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 8:30 p.m. | American Airlines Center |
| Game 7 (if necessary) | Sunday, June 23, 2024 | 8 p.m. | TD Garden |
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Series Winner Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -220 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +184 |
Odds as of May 31
This marks the fourth time in a row this postseason that Dallas has entered a series as an underdog, having eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers, No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, and just recently the Minnesota Timberwolves to reach this point.
Boston Celtics Vs. Dallas Mavericks Total Games Odds
| Total Games | Odds |
|---|---|
| 5 Games | +210 |
| 6 Games | +210 |
| 7 Games | +230 |
| 4 Games | +500 |
Odds as of May 31
Boston has yet to reach a Game 6 or 7 this postseason, having gone five games against both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers prior to sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. Dallas, meanwhile, needed six games to bounce the Clippers and Thunder, but just five to eliminate Minnesota.
Boston Celtics Vs. Dallas Mavericks Series Prediction Odds
| Series Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics 4-0 | +650 |
| Boston Celtics 4-1 | +310 |
| Boston Celtics 4-2 | +470 |
| Boston Celtics 4-3 | +410 |
| Dallas Mavericks 4-0 | +2200 |
| Dallas Mavericks 4-1 | +1100 |
| Dallas Mavericks 4-2 | +550 |
| Dallas Mavericks 4-3 | +800 |
Odds as of May 31
Oddsmakers feel the most likely outcome in the Finals is the Celtics defeating the Mavericks in five games, with the next two top results also being Boston victories. If Dallas stands a chance, as per the odds, it will need six games at +550 to secure the title.
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks 2023-24 Season Series (2-0 Celtics)
| Date | Location | Result | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, 2024 | TD Garden | 138-110 Celtics | Luka Doncic, Mavericks (37 Points) |
| Jan. 22, 2024 | American Airlines Center | 119-110 Celtics | Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (39 Points) |
Boston has the psychological edge in this series having won both regular-season matchups in convincing fashion. The Mavericks haven't beaten the Celtics in over two years, last doing so on March 13, 2022.
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks 2023-24 Spread History
| Date | Spread (Celtics) | Spread (Mavericks) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, 2024 | -8.5 | +8.5 | Celtics Cover (Favorites) |
| Jan. 22, 2024 | -2.5 | +2.5 | Celtics Cover (Favorites) |
The Celtics managed to successfully cover the spread both times against Dallas, although the Mavericks had a greater success rate in doing so during the 2023-24 campaign at 48-34 ATS, good enough for third across the Association. Boston went 41-36-5 in that department.
Boston Celtics Vs. Dallas Mavericks 2023-24 OVER/UNDER History
| Date | Score | O/U Total | Final Total | O/U Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, 2024 | 138-110 | 237.5 | 248 | OVER |
| Jan. 22, 2024 | 119-110 | 240.5 | 229 | UNDER |
Unlike in ATS, the Mavericks' record in the OVER/UNDER market was actually third from the bottom, hitting the UNDER 46 times. The Celtics went OVER 42 times and pushed twice.
Boston Celtics Player To Watch: Jayson Tatum
| Games (2024 Playoffs) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 26.0 | 44.2 | 29.0 | 10.4 | 5.9 | 1.1 | 0.7 |
It's undeniable that the player with the most pressure to have a terrific Finals is Jayson Tatum. Lest we forget that back in the 2022 Finals versus the Golden State Warriors, Tatum shot just 36.7 percent from the field and was widely criticized for underperforming on the big stage. Now with teammate Jaylen Brown capturing Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player, even though Tatum's series was just as strong statistically, the superstar forward will need to erase all doubts that the Celtics are his team and that he can be the best player on a championship squad.
Dallas Mavericks Player To Watch: Kyrie Irving
| Games (2024 Playoffs) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 22.8 | 48.5 | 42.1 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 |
One of the key storylines of this entire Finals is the reception Kyrie Irving will receive in his return to Boston as public enemy No. 1. He was the man who publicly stated that he wanted to re-sign with the Celtics soon after being acquired via a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, only to sign with the Brooklyn Nets the next summer. We've all witnessed the absurd numbers Luka Doncic has contributed during these playoffs, but Irving's contributions can't be ignored. He had a humdrum series against the Thunder and then turned the dial to blast against Minnesota. There's just something about playing a former team that can inspire a player, and you know Irving would love nothing more than to deprive Beantown fans of an 18th championship.
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Top Scorer Odds
| Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | -140 |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | +210 |
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | +1000 |
| Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | +1200 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | Boston Celtics | +3500 |
| Derrick White | Boston Celtics | +6500 |
| Jrue Holiday | Boston Celtics | +10000 |
| PJ Washington | Dallas Mavericks | +12000 |
Odds as of May 31
Doncic leads all players this postseason with 489 total points, although to be fair, he has suited up for three more games than anyone on the Celtics. In terms of points per game, though, Doncic sits seventh overall and first amongst still active players at 28.8.
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Odds To Win NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
| Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | -120 |
| Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | +210 |
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | +600 |
| Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | +2000 |
| Derrick White | Boston Celtics | +3500 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | Boston Celtics | +5000 |
| Jrue Holiday | Boston Celtics | +5500 |
| Al Horford | Boston Celtics | +24000 |
| Daniel Gafford | Dallas Mavericks | +29000 |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | Dallas Mavericks | +29000 |
| Dereck Lively II | Dallas Mavericks | +50000 |
Odds as of May 31
The two recipients of the conference final MVP awards don't have the greatest odds to win the Bill Russell Finals MVP hardware, as that distinction falls upon Tatum. The trophy has only been around for three years, but never before has the championship-winning team had a Finals MVP which also didn't win the conference finals MVP.
Christopher Walder's NBA Finals Expert Prediction: Dallas Mavericks (+184), Dallas Mavericks In 6 (+550)
All signs point towards the Celtics taking this series and deservedly so. They've cakewalked their way through their playoff bracket, never needing more than five games to win a series, and should be well-rested heading into this matchup with Dallas. The extra time off has also afforded Kristaps Porzingis more of an opportunity to recover from his injuries, and he could be the ultimate difference-maker with his size and outside shooting.
But you can make an argument that the Mavericks' first-round opponent in Los Angeles was tougher and more talented than any team Boston has faced so far. Dallas is battle-tested, smelling like smoke because the team has walked through hellfire and brimstone to even crack the Finals. All the Celtics could do was play the opponent in front of them, and while some games have come down to the wire, they haven't truly been challenged yet.
The Mavericks are 7-2 SU on the road this postseason and haven't had home-court advantage once. They also have the best player in the series in Doncic, who is the first man in history to lead in total points, rebounds, and assists through the first three rounds of the playoffs. He also joins Larry Bird, Nikola Jokic, and LeBron James to accumulate at least 450 points, 150 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single postseason. As many weapons as Boston can throw at Doncic defensively, as we've seen time and time again, the 25-year-old fears no defender no matter how big, gifted, or strong.
Doncic and Irving are two of the greatest closers the league has ever had, and if this series is as tight as many envision it to be, the faith will be there in those two to make key plays and hit clutch shots down the stretch. As the infamous song by The Game and 50 Cent goes, "hate it or love it, the underdog's on top."
Nick Holz's NBA Finals Expert Prediction: NBA Finals MVP/Correct Score Parlay: Jayson Tatum/Boston Celtics 4-3 (+480)
While I believe the Mavericks dynamic duo and shooting can push these Celtics, Boston is a massive favorite in this series for good reason. The Celtics odds are so juiced we're forced to search for value with a Finals MVP/Correct Score Exacta.
Over the last 34 NBA Playoff tournaments, 24 teams have been -200 or higher favorites to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Those teams are 21-3. Additionally, Joe Mazzulla's squad +10.9 net rating would rank eighth in NBA Playoff history. Each of the other top 10 current teams have won the NBA Championship.
With Kristaps Porzingis expected to return for the NBA Finals, the Celtics have the size, length and depth necessary to slow down Luka and the Mavericks offensive attack. Porzingis' return gives the Celtics an elite paint protector, as opponents shot just 49.8% against the 7-footer at the rim this season. Boston can throw the elite defensive ability of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White at Kyrie Irving, while Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum focus on shutting down Doncic. All four have the defensive switch-ability to take turns at slowing the Mavericks' superstars as the game/series dictates.
I expect Boston's shooting ability to shine as this NBA Finals series progresses. The Celtics lead the Association in true shooting percentage at 60% these playoffs, while knocking down an insane 9.9 points per game more than their opponents from beyond the arc.
Remember, the Celtics have been here before, as they enter their second NBA Finals in the last three years, and have at least advanced to the Conference Finals in six of the past eight seasons. Expect Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to put a bow on an historic season and win their first NBA Championship.