Jon HoeflingUSA TODAY
The 2024 NBA Finals begin tonight as the Dallas Mavericks prepare to take on the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have dominated throughout the playoffs so far. Even without big man Kristaps Porzingis for much of the postseason, the Celtics have gone 12-2 against the Eastern Conference's top teams. The Dallas Mavericks are a different animal though. Luka Doncic has been absolutely dominant in these playoffs, to the tune of 28.8 points per game, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists.
The Celtics have not had to face a player that dominant yet, and in basketball, the best player on the court can sometimes make all the difference. Here is everything you need to know about this year's NBA Finals.
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2024 NBA Finals predictions:
Scooby Axson, USA Today: Celtics in 6
Axson writes, "This potentially will come down to which duo plays better: Kyrie and Luka or Tatum and Brown? But the X-factor is Kristaps Porzingis. If he can give them anything after coming back from a 10-game absence because of a calf injury, the Celtics should hoist banner No. 18, because they are just too deep and too good."
Brad Botkin, CBS Sports: Mavericks in 7
Botkin writes, "I'm riding the Luka and Kyrie train. I can't help it. I don't know if I'm a prisoner of the moment, but this is going to be a tight series full of tight games and I simply trust these two to close games out in a way I don't trust the Celtics collectively. I won't argue with anyone who disagrees with me on this pick. This is a coin flip. But I just can't get past the greatness of Luka and Kyrie and the legitimacy of this Mavs defense withDaniel GaffordandDereck Lively IIat the rim."
Sam Panayotovich, FOX Sports: Celtics to win NBA Finals
Panayotovich writes, "This price is as high as -230 in Las Vegas and DraftKings is currentlydealing the floor at -210. Please get the best number. I'm far from the biggest C's fan, but the Green Teamers would've been -400 or higher against Dallas before the postseasonstarted. This is just too cheap, and you get the deeper and more complete team. I even thought about firing Jayson Tatum to win Finals MVP at -110 but decided not to overthink it."
How to watch 2024 NBA Finals:
*all times listed are Eastern
- Game 1:Mavericks @ Celtics, Thursday, June 6; 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
- Game 2:Mavericks@ Celtics, Sunday, June 9; 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
- Game 3:Celtics vs. Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12; 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
- Game 4:Celtics vs. Mavericks, Friday, June 14; 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
- Game 5 (if necessary):Mavericks vs. Celtics, Monday, June 17; 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
- Game 6 (if necessary):Celtics vs. Mavericks, Thursday, June 20; 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
- Game 7 (if necessary):Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 23; 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling TV, fubo TV
Stream the Finals: Watch every game of the 2024 NBA Finals with a fubo subscription
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics: Odds, spread and lines for Game 1 of the NBA Finals
The Boston Celtics are favorites to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in Thursday's NBA Finals matchup, according to theBetMGM basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out thebest mobile sports betting appsofferingsports betting promos in 2024.
Odds as of Wednesday afternoon.
Game 1 odds:
- Spread:Celtics (-6.5)
- Moneylines:Celtics (-250); Mavericks (+200)
- Over/under:214.5
NBA Finals winner odds:
- Celtics (-225)
- Mavericks (+180)
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