With a barrage of 3-pointers and a monster return from Kristaps Porzingis, the Boston Celtics put an instant imprint on the NBA Finals in Thursday's Game 1. They’ll look for a repeat performance vs. the Dallas Mavericks tonight in Game 2.
The Celtics had a 27-point edge from beyond the arc in their 107-89 victory, and Porzingis’ impact on both ends overshadowed an efficient 30-point effort from Luka Doncic.
The NBA odds favor Boston to take a 2-0 series lead with relative ease, but the Mavs have won Game 2 in all three series so far. My free Mavs vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks will shine a light on a dialed-in Jaylen Brown.
For more analysis of NBA Finals Game 2, check out our Mavs vs. Celtics same-game parlay picks!
Mavs vs Celtics prediction
My best bet
Jaylen Brown Over 22.5 points (-120 at bet365)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
Talk about doing it all. Jaylen Brown contributed in just about every way possible in the Boston Celtics’ Game 1 win, leading the team with 22 points and adding six rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and a pair of assists — all while guarding Luka Doncic for large chunks of the night.
That feels too low for an in-form, three-level scorer who poured in 24 points or more in four straight contests heading into these Finals, including a 40-point clinic against the Indiana Pacers.
Brown is averaging almost 25 points in the 2024 playoffs and was set to blow past this O/U line in Game 1. But things got out of hand late, so Boston’s starters sat out the final minutes. He didn’t just settle for long jump shots either, forcing his way to 11 free-throw attempts.
While the prospect of shadowing Doncic brings foul trouble into the equation, the upside is the opportunities to test Luka at the other end when the Dallas Mavericks don’t manage to switch out of that matchup.
Brown was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and he seems to be picking up where he left off. That spells trouble for an over-stretched Dallas defense.
Mavs vs Celtics star player prop bet
My best bet
Jayson Tatum Over 14.5 rebounds + assists (-125 at bet365)
Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics in points per game this postseason (25.3), but he's been much less efficient than he was in the regular season, with his FG% dropping from 47.1% to 43.8%, and his 3P% falling from 37.6% to 29.9%. With his point total prop set at 26.5, that has me looking at some of his other markets.
Tatum will continue to see major minutes unless Game 2 is an even bigger rout than Game 1, which I don't anticipate after the Mavericks plateaued at an uncharacteristic 89 points. He's taken advantage of that by amassing 10.4 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per game.
His points + rebounds prop line is set at just 14.5, a line he's cleared in 12 of his first 15 playoff games this year.
Mavs vs Celtics odds
Mavs vs Celtics live odds
Get the latest Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Finals odds for Game 2.
Mavs vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: Dallas +7 | Celtics -7
- Moneyline: Dallas +224 | Celtics -268
- Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5
Mavs vs Celtics game info
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Sunday, 6-9-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ABC |
Mavs vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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