Mavericks vs Celtics Game 2 Prediction & Player Prop Picks: Will Tatum Shine to Take Boston to Dallas Up 2-0?

After a commanding victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics are now only three wins away from claiming their first championship since 2008. Tonight, they have the opportunity to bring that number down to two by securing a victory in Game 2 at TD Garden (8:00 pm ET, ABC).

On Thursday’s game in Boston, the competition started off tightly contested. However, the Celtics concluded the first quarter with an impressive 23-5 run, transforming a one-point disadvantage into a commanding 17-point advantage. This surge propelled the Eastern Conference champions to a convincing 107-89 win, granting them a 1-0 series lead.

During the initial two rounds of the playoffs, the Celtics displayed inconsistency by winning Game 1 convincingly but delivering a disappointing performance in Game 2. However, they managed to rectify their performance in the Eastern Conference finals, securing two victories on their home court before sweeping the Indiana Pacers.

Will we witness the Celtics’ true form in Game 2 against the Mavericks? Dallas is desperate for a strong comeback following their struggles on Thursday. However, they will have to cope with Luka Doncic being less than fully fit, as he is dealing with several injuries, including a chest contusion.

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on today’s series decider.

Spread

• Dallas Mavericks +7 (-110)
• Boston Celtics -7 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 215 (-105)
• Under 215 (-115)

Moneyline

• Dallas Mavericks +222
• Boston Celtics -262

Get free and reliable moneyline, spread, and over/under consensus picks for every NBA matchup, including this one, from our NBA picks page.

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Prediction

Celtics to win and cover

There is a perpetual worry with the Celtics that they might conclude that achieving success isn’t as desirable as it seems, and instead, prefer to take on challenges the difficult way.

At times, the Boston Celtics are able to ride the wave of momentum within a single game, exemplified by their performance in Game 1. In the third quarter, their lead fluctuated from an impressive 24 points, to a mere 8 points, and then back up to a commanding 22 points. This sequence perfectly encapsulates the highs and lows that define the Boston Celtics Experience in just 12 minutes.

However, it appears that the Celtics had a breakthrough of sorts during the Eastern Conference finals. It’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily have any significant bearing on their upcoming matchup against the Mavericks, as the Celtics’ history has shown that previous performances do not always dictate future outcomes. That being said, when evaluating the Celtics like any other team, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about their ability to replicate their impressive Game 1 performance and secure another convincing victory against the Mavericks. The Celtics are simply the superior team, and while certain aspects may be subject to debate, this is not one of them, regardless of Doncic’s level of health.

Best Player Prop Bets for Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Game 2

Jayson Tatum (Celtics) over 27.5 points (-106 at BetOnline) & over 42.5 points + rebounds + assists (+105 at Bovada)

In Game 1, Tatum had as many turnovers (six) as made field goals and scored only 16 points (6 of 16 FG, 3 of 7 3PT, 1 of 2 FT) in 42 minutes. It was just the 13^th time in 89 games this season that Tatum fell short of the 20-point mark. Fortunately, his scoring wasn’t needed with the Celtics in control most of the way.

Expect him to make a strong comeback in that aspect and excel in other areas as well, just like he did in Game 1 with an impressive performance of 11 rebounds and five assists.

Other NBA Finals Betting Information

Where to Bet on Mavericks vs Celtics

Are you interested in betting on NBA Finals odds? Many of the top online sportsbooks will have a variety of odds for the NBA Finals, ranging from game odds, futures odds, and prop bets.

Throughout the season, in addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on odds for every game all season long, including NBA playoffs odds.

Also, you can bet on the All-Star Game, NBA Draft odds, and the major awards like NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. In addition to BetOnline, here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (review)
• BetUS (review)
• Bookmaker (review)
• Bovada (review)
• MyBookie (review)
• Sportsbetting.ag (review)

What if you don’t have an account at a book on this list? Check out our sportsbook reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Looking to make some player prop picks for the series? Bovada is one of the best sports betting sites for NBA player props, as they offer a plethora of prop markets for every game on the schedule. They also have a hefty welcome bonus for cryptocurrency users (75% up to $750).

Interested in Learning More About NBA Betting?

Looking to learn more about the ins and outs of betting on the NBA? Check out our NBA betting guide. Also, if you’d like to learn more about NBA player prop bets, check out our NBA player props guide.

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