With a 3-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics can send in their formal order for Banner 18 on Friday if they win Game 4.
Game 3 featured enough twists and turns to satisfy an entire playoff series, let alone a single match. The clubs went back and forth all night long in a captivating battle that the Dallas Mavericks had to win to hand themselves a decent chance of reversing the tide. The Boston Celtics pulled through in the end with a 106-99 win to a 3-0 series advantage.
Our NBA Finals odds once again give the host Mavericks a slight edge as -1.5 favourites.
Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Finals Betting Odds
These aren’t turning into the finals people thought they would get. What should have been a mesmeric affair is a contest for which Boston, while they’ve been punched a few times, keeps finding ways to win. We are at that point when the series odds page doesn’t even offer a prop for a 4-0 sweep.
The smallest odds are the Celtics winning 4-1, which is priced at +160, which then shoots up to +1000 should the series require six contests.
Now is the time for a conversation about who could win Finals MVP. At the moment Jaylen Brown is in the lead at -344, followed by Jayson Tatum at +275. The closest behind them is Luka Doncic at +3000. If he can pull his side out of their current predicament, he’ll definitely have earned it.
Boston Celtics
All the Celtics need is another strong 48 minutes for the criticisms of years past to wash away. The good regular seasons that devolved disappointing playoff exits will go down much smoother with a championship coronation.
At this point, it almost doesn’t matter if Tatum goes off or not. He was quite good in Game 3, tallying 31-6-5, but if he were to revert to his Game 1 and 2 performances that were more modest, one wonders if it would make a difference. Even without Kristaps Porzingis, Boston found a way on Wednesday night. Brown was an incredible 12-for-22 (30 points) and players like Sam Hauser were corralling rebounds. Derrick White had two more shot blocks to his name (seven for the series).
This team is just too deep for Dallas to handle at the moment. A bad start and a nervy fourth quarter – 20-point leads are apparently tricky to handle for Boston- weren’t enough to sink a solid second quarter and a third that may have won the Celtics the championship.
Dallas Mavericks
It’s time to bring out the argument of “why not them?” concerning NBA history still waiting for the first side to storm back from a 3-0 series deficit and claim a win.
As for Game 3, it’s not as if Dallas didn’t try. Kyrie Irving deserves some flowers for finally having a productive game with 35 points (4-for-6 from distance), Dereck Lively II had a much bigger impact with 13 boards, and the club pushed like mad in the final period to give them a chance to overcome a 21-point deficit. But two things stood out, and both were glaringly obvious. The first was an atrocious third quarter. At home and up by one at the half (51-50) and their backs against the wall, Dallas played about as poorly as they did in the early stages of Game 1, which sunk that game too. Horrible defence, subpar rebounding, and poor shooting.
And then there is Luka. A lot will be spoken and written about him fouling out late in the fourth quarter. He had an okay night with 27 points, although was 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. What must sting is that in the single most critical match of the entire season, at home, he lacked discipline, both with his fouls and attitude. One assumes he will learn from this, but it might be too late this year.
NBA Finals Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 4?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 13 Jun 3:06am | DAL | -1.5 +105 | O +211.5 -110 |
| Closing 15 Jun 2:34am | DAL | -27.5 -120 | O +201.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.85 |
| Assists |
5.16 |
| Rebounds |
8.12 |
| FG% |
70 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
1.95 |
| Points |
33.86 |
| Assists |
9.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
78 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.93 |
| Points |
25 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.21 |
| Blocks |
1.57 |
| Points |
28.86 |
| Assists |
8.09 |
| Rebounds |
9.45 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
| Points |
26.85 |
| Assists |
5.16 |
| Rebounds |
8.12 |
| FG% |
70 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
1.95 |
| Points |
33.86 |
| Assists |
9.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
78 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.93 |
| Points |
25 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.21 |
| Blocks |
1.57 |
| Points |
28.86 |
| Assists |
8.09 |
| Rebounds |
9.45 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
Injuries
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Luke Kornet (C)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Luke Kornet (C)
Xavier Tillman (PF)
Luke Kornet (C)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Luke Kornet (C)
Al Horford (C)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Daniel Gafford (PF)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Dante Exum (PG)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Daniel Gafford (PF)
P.J. Washington (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Prob Mon | Leg - 11 / 06 / 24 | 1-1 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Porzingis is nursing a lower leg injury, but he is expected to be on court against the Mavericks on Monday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Ques Thurs | Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24 | 2-2 | 0-5 | + - |
|
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Prob Mon | Illness - 26 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Holiday is ailing from illness, but he is projected to be on court against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Prob Sun | Illness - 25 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Holiday is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but he is likely to be on court against the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Prob Mon | Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, but he is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Xavier Tillman (PF) | Ques Sat | Personal - 20 / 05 / 24 | 3-5 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Tillman has missed the last two game because of the personal reasons, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Prob Mon | Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 | 4-7 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Kornet has a right calf injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Prob Thur | Calf - 29 / 04 / 24 | 8-7 | 7-9 | + - |
|
Porzingis is dealing with a right calf strain, and he is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Prob Sat | Calf - 20 / 04 / 24 | 9-8 | 9-10 | + - |
|
Kornet has been out of commission with a right calf strain, but he is expected to return to the court for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Prob Sun | Toe - 12 / 04 / 24 | 10-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Horford has a left big toe sprain, but he is expected to line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24 | 9-6 | 7-9 | + - |
|
Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Maxi Kleber (PF) | Doub Tues | Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24 | 10-6 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Kleber is hampered by a dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder, and is not expected to play in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24 | 12-8 | 9-12 | + - |
|
Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Daniel Gafford (PF) | Ques Fri | Back - 24 / 04 / 24 | 12-8 | 9-12 | + - |
|
Gafford is hindered by lower-back soreness, and it is up in the air if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) | Prob Sun | Illness - 20 / 04 / 24 | 12-9 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Hardaway is ailing from an illness, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Maxi Kleber (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Kleber is dealing with back spasms, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Dante Exum (PG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Exum is laid up with a right foot sprain, but it is predicted that he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Jones is hampered by a left shoulder sprain, but it is projected that he will line up against the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Daniel Gafford (PF) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Gafford is tending to right elbow soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| P.J. Washington (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Washington is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 13 Jun 3:06am DAL -1.5 +105 O +211.5 -110 Closing 15 Jun 2:34am DAL -27.5 -120 O +201.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 33.86
Assists 9.8
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 78
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.93
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
Points 28.86
Assists 8.09
Rebounds 9.45
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.86
Blocks 1.5
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 33.86
Assists 9.8
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 78
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.93
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
Points 28.86
Assists 8.09
Rebounds 9.45
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.86
Blocks 1.5
-
Injuries
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Prob Mon Leg - 11 / 06 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Ques Thurs Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24Jrue Holiday (PG)
Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 05 / 24Jrue Holiday (PG)
Prob Sun Illness - 25 / 05 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Prob Mon Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24Xavier Tillman (PF)
Ques Sat Personal - 20 / 05 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Prob Mon Calf - 12 / 05 / 24Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Prob Thur Calf - 29 / 04 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Prob Sat Calf - 20 / 04 / 24Al Horford (C)
Prob Sun Toe - 12 / 04 / 24Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24Maxi Kleber (PF)
Doub Tues Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24Daniel Gafford (PF)
Ques Fri Back - 24 / 04 / 24Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Sun Illness - 20 / 04 / 24Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 24Dante Exum (PG)
Prob Sun Foot - 13 / 04 / 24Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24Daniel Gafford (PF)
Prob Sun Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24P.J. Washington (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Prob Mon Leg - 11 / 06 / 24 1-1 0-3 + - Porzingis is nursing a lower leg injury, but he is expected to be on court against the Mavericks on Monday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Luke Kornet (C) Ques Thurs Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24 2-2 0-5 + - Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 05 / 24 3-3 2-5 + - Holiday is ailing from illness, but he is projected to be on court against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Prob Sun Illness - 25 / 05 / 24 3-3 2-5 + - Holiday is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but he is likely to be on court against the Pacers on Sunday.
Luke Kornet (C) Prob Mon Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24 3-3 2-5 + - Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, but he is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Xavier Tillman (PF) Ques Sat Personal - 20 / 05 / 24 3-5 4-5 + - Tillman has missed the last two game because of the personal reasons, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Luke Kornet (C) Prob Mon Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 4-7 5-7 + - Kornet has a right calf injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Prob Thur Calf - 29 / 04 / 24 8-7 7-9 + - Porzingis is dealing with a right calf strain, and he is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Luke Kornet (C) Prob Sat Calf - 20 / 04 / 24 9-8 9-10 + - Kornet has been out of commission with a right calf strain, but he is expected to return to the court for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Al Horford (C) Prob Sun Toe - 12 / 04 / 24 10-9 11-10 + - Horford has a left big toe sprain, but he is expected to line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24 9-6 7-9 + - Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round.
Maxi Kleber (PF) Doub Tues Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24 10-6 8-9 + - Kleber is hampered by a dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder, and is not expected to play in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24 12-8 9-12 + - Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round.
Daniel Gafford (PF) Ques Fri Back - 24 / 04 / 24 12-8 9-12 + - Gafford is hindered by lower-back soreness, and it is up in the air if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) Prob Sun Illness - 20 / 04 / 24 12-9 9-13 + - Hardaway is ailing from an illness, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Maxi Kleber (PF) Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Kleber is dealing with back spasms, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Dante Exum (PG) Prob Sun Foot - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Exum is laid up with a right foot sprain, but it is predicted that he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Prob Sun Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Jones is hampered by a left shoulder sprain, but it is projected that he will line up against the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Daniel Gafford (PF) Prob Sun Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Gafford is tending to right elbow soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
P.J. Washington (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Washington is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.