At long last we have reached the 2024 NBA Finals. The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics will play for basketball supremacy. Game 1 is Thursday night in Boston.
After free agency, training camp, pre-season, 82 regular season games, an In-Season Tournament, four nights of Play-In matches, and three postseason rounds we have reached the ultimate stage. Only the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics remain. Most prognostics agreed that Boston was supposed to make it this far. That Dallas is the Western Conference representative is a bit more surprising, but not if one looks closely at how they play.
For Game 1, the NBA Finals odds have the host Celtics as -6.5 favourites.
Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
As intraconference foes, the Mavs and Celtics butt heads twice per campaign, unless of course they meet in the final! Boston claimed wins in both matches this season and last. Incidentally, before then it was Dallas who rode a four-game winning streak.
As for odds on this series, the Celtics are -222 favourites to win it compared the Mavericks’ +180 price tag. A Boston sweep is priced at +500 (which may not be as steep as it should be), a 4-1 series win is +300 (again, seems a bit insulting towards the Mavs), 4-2 is +350, and a seven-game series that goes the Celtics’ way is +450.
In stark contrast, most of Dallas’ numbers are significantly steeper. A sweep in their favour is an incredible +2500, a 4-1 win is +1500, a six-game victory is priced at +400, and a series that goes the distance is +600.
The Celtics are looking for their 18th banner in franchise history and first since 2008. Many of the players in the current group lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 Finals. Dallas aims to win again for the first time since 2011 when, incidentally, Jason Kid played for them.
Dallas Mavericks
The franchise has experienced a remarkable turnaround since the 2022-23 campaign. It was just before that season’s trade deadline that the organization boldly traded for Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets. They still missed the postseason, encouraging many to label them as a failure.
Not anymore. Jason Kid has proven to be an astute head coach capable of making lineup and tactical changes that get the better of his opponents. The defence is resoundingly superior to last year. Of all the playoff teams that have played at least 10 games, Dallas is fourth with a very good 103.9 points against per game (0.02 behind third-placed Cleveland and 0.06 behind second-placed Minnesota). Rookie Dereck Lively II is having an incredible post season run. Deadline acquisitions P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have paid handsome dividends and, as one famous on-tv analyst has stated, they have the “best backcourt in the history of the NBA” with Kyrie and Luka Doncic.
Suffice it to say, this is not one’s average number five seed. These guys are great.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have made it to the NBA Finals, just as many predicted. Their journey was not nearly as arduous as Dallas’, but they were forced to grind out some wins against the Indiana Pacers in the East Finals that demonstrated metal.
Top of the order is that big man Kristaps Porzingis is healthy again and expected to play Thursday. They will need all the presence in the paint possible against Luka and Kyrie. This also is where Jrue Holiday and Derrick White will earn the big bucks. They’ve terrific defensive players (White averages 1.3 blocks per game in these playoffs) and they’ll have their hands full.
But what’s the point in delaying the obvious talking point? How will Jayson Tatum (26.0 points) and Jaylen Brown (25.0 points) fair? They were here two years ago and didn’t measure up. They have to rebound, no pun intended. They’ve looked awesome in these playoffs. If they rinse and repeat, they can be champions. It’s up to them to go out and do it.
NBA Finals Prediction: Who Will Win Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 31 May 10:13am | BOS | -6.5 -110 | O +214.5 -110 |
| Closing 7 Jun 2:43am | BOS | -22.5 -130 | O +192.5 -130 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
| Points |
33.86 |
| Assists |
9.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
78 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.93 |
| Points |
26.85 |
| Assists |
5.16 |
| Rebounds |
8.12 |
| FG% |
70 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
1.95 |
| Points |
28.86 |
| Assists |
8.09 |
| Rebounds |
9.45 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
25 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.21 |
| Blocks |
1.57 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
33.86 |
| Assists |
9.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
78 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.93 |
| Points |
26.85 |
| Assists |
5.16 |
| Rebounds |
8.12 |
| FG% |
70 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
1.95 |
| Points |
28.86 |
| Assists |
8.09 |
| Rebounds |
9.45 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
25 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.21 |
| Blocks |
1.57 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 31 May 10:13am BOS -6.5 -110 O +214.5 -110 Closing 7 Jun 2:43am BOS -22.5 -130 O +192.5 -130 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
Points 33.86
Assists 9.8
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 78
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.93
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 28.86
Assists 8.09
Rebounds 9.45
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.86
Blocks 1.5
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 33.86
Assists 9.8
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 78
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.93
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 28.86
Assists 8.09
Rebounds 9.45
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.86
Blocks 1.5
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
-
Injuries
Tim 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 / 24Kristaps 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 / 24Injuries
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.
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.