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The Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics meet for Game 1 of their best-of-7 NBA Finals series Thursday night. Tip-off from TD Garden in Boston is at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Mavericks vs. Celtics odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Mavs roll into the NBA Finals after disposing of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 5 games. They are 7-2 on the road in this year’s playoffs. G Luka Doncic has been bothered by a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle, but he has still averaged 28.8 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 8.8 APG in the playoffs.
The Celtics have only lost 2 games this postseason — both of which came at home in Game 2 of the series. Keep that in mind for Game 2 of this series. F Jayson Tatum is averaging 26 PPG, 10.4 RPG and 5.9 APG in the postseason. G Jaylen Brown has elevated his game with 25 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 2.6 APG as well. The big story is the health of C Kristaps Porzingis, who has been out since April 29 with a calf strain.
Mavericks at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:52 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mavericks +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Celtics -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +6.5 (-110) | Celtics -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Mavericks at Celtics key injuries
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) probable
Celtics
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Mavericks at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 119, Mavericks 110
Moneyline
Boston won both matchups against the Mavs 119-110 and 138-110 in the regular season. They are heavy, -225 favorites to win this series, and that’s a bit laughable to me because of how good of a unit the Mavs are. Luka and G Kyrie Irving have chemistry that I don’t see between Tatum and Brown. When the game is on the line, Luka and Kyrie are each looking to make the play, but I get the feeling that Tatum and Brown could have an internal struggle over who will take the shot.
I like the Celtics in Game 1, but I will heavily consider Dallas in Game 2. Take an SGP of CELTICS ML + JAYLEN BROWN OVER 22.5 POINTS (+138). Brown had 25 and 34 against Dallas this season.
Against the spread
Boston has covered just once in the last 6 games in the postseason, but none of the spreads have been this small. They covered in each game against Dallas this season.
I like the CELTICS -6.5 (-110) here.
Over/Under
Each matchup in the regular season went Over this total. The Mavs are 6-4 O/U in their last 10, and Boston is 4-6. Dallas averaged 111.4 PPG in its 5-game series against the Timberwolves, who had a stifling defense to that point.
I like the OVER 215.5 (-110).
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