The 2024 NBA Finals are underway and the Boston Celtics are one win away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy after jumping out to a 3-1 lead against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Celtics will try to wrap things up at home in Game 5 on Monday. After winning the first three games of the series, they were unable to finish off the sweep in Game 4, suffering a humiliating 122-84 defeat in Dallas. It was the third-largest margin of defeat in NBA Finals history.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks must win Game 5 to stay alive and send the series back to Dallas. If they lose, their season is over.
Here’s what you need to know before placing your NBA Finals bets at the top online sportsbooks.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 5 Preview
Game Details
- Date: Monday, June 17
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT
- Location: TD Garden (Boston, MA)
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Mavericks +215, Celtics -260
- Spread: Mavericks +6.5 (-108), Celtics -6.5 (-112)
- Total: Over/Under 210.5 (-110/-110)
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change.
Despite getting blown out in Game 4, Boston enters Game 5 as a considerable home favorite on the spread and moneyline. The Celtics pulled their starters in the third quarter of Game 4 and should be well-rested as they try to close out the series and win an NBA-record 18th championship.
One big question mark is the status of their star big man, Kristaps Porzingis. He suffered a rare leg injury during Game 2 and did not play in Games 3 or 4, but he’s been practicing and could return for Game 5.
Even if Porzingis sits, Boston’s still the better team. Including the regular season, the Celtics are an astounding 79-20 (15-3 in the playoffs), including 5-1 with a plus-32 point differential against the Mavericks.
Boston has been nearly unbeatable at home this year, going 45-6 at TD Garden, including 8-2 in the playoffs. They haven’t lost at home in over a month and haven’t lost back-to-back games at any point during the postseason.
Dallas is 0-3 with a minus-53 point differential in Boston this year but must win if it wants to extend its season. This series aside, the Mavericks have played well on the road, going 32-20 in away games including 7-4 in the playoffs.
Regardless of whether Porzingis plays or not, the Celtics still have enough firepower to win the game and cover the spread. All three of their wins in the series have come by at least seven points.
As for the Over/Under, the Under appears more likely. The Under has hit comfortably in every game this series, as there hasn’t been a game where both teams cracked 100 points. With a championship on the line, expect both sides to bring maximum effort on the defensive end.
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals Preview
The Celtics are heavily favored to win the series at -3500 odds ahead of Game 4, while the Mavericks are +1400 underdogs at FanDuel.
This is the second NBA Finals appearance in the last three seasons for Boston’s veteran roster, which is loaded with playoff experience after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals six times in the last eight seasons. The Celtics came up short against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors during the 2022 NBA Finals but are hungry for their first title together.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, have much less playoff experience. Dallas hasn’t made the NBA Finals since 2011, and only three of its players (Irving, Derrick Jones Jr. and Markieff Morris) have NBA Finals experience. Irving won a title with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 but has struggled against Boston, where he spent two seasons of his tumultuous career.
This is the first NBA Finals appearance for both head coaches. The Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla is only 35, making him the youngest head coach to reach the NBA Finals since Bill Russell in 1969. He’s only in his second season at the helm, while 51-year-old Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is in his eighth.
On paper, Boston is the better team. The Celtics have more depth and are superior on both sides of the ball. Boston ranked second in scoring and seventh in points allowed during the regular season, while Dallas ranked seventh in scoring and 20th in points allowed.
Defense will be a major factor in this series, especially on the perimeter. Both teams love to shoot the three, so closing out on shooters and preventing open looks will be critical. Doncic, Irving, Brown and Tatum are four of the most gifted scorers in the NBA who can score at the rim, create their own shots and take over a game at any time.
The Mavericks did a good job containing Anthony Edwards in the Western Conference Finals, holding him under 30 points in every game and forcing him to pass more frequently. If they can do the same to Tatum and Brown, they’ll have a chance.
Conversely, the Celtics haven’t had to defend many stars during their march to the NBA Finals. Their three opponents all lost their best player to injury, paving the way for Boston. Now the Celtics will have to defend two legitimate superstars in Irving and Doncic, the latter of whom led the league in scoring this year.
If Boston clamps down on Doncic and Irving’s struggles against his former team continue, this could be a short series. If they continue to operate at a high level, however, Dallas should stay competitive with an improved defense that was one of the NBA’s best during the second half.
After taking down three teams with better records during the NBA Playoffs, the Mavericks will put up a fight and shouldn’t be dismissed. However, the Celtics simply have too much firepower, especially from distance. They’re one of the best teams in NBA history in terms of net rating and haven’t lost four of seven at any point this season.
Back Boston to prevail and add another banner to the rafters at TD Garden.
2024 NBA Finals MVP Odds
- Jaylen Brown: -230
- Jayson Tatum: +220
- Luka Doncic: +1400
- Jrue Holiday: +3800
- Derrick White: +12000
- Kyrie Irving: +15000
The Eastern Conference Finals MVP, Brown has the shortest Finals MVP odds as well. He’s been tremendous on both ends of the floor, averaging 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks on 49.2% shooting.
Tatum has struggled with his shot in this series, shooting just 36.5% from the floor and 29.0% from downtown. He’s done everything else well, however, averaging 20.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists. A big scoring effort could put him over the top, especially if Brown struggles.
Doncic’s been exceptional for the Mavericks, but it just hasn’t been enough. He leads all scorers with 29.5 points per game while averaging 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists, but he’s also been costing his team with turnovers, poor defense and excessive complaining about the officiating.
Photo by Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images
