NBA Finals 2024: Mavericks vs Celtics Game 1 Predictions, Odds, & Best Bets (6/6)

Today’s Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 1 predictions and best bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA playoffs to the UFC odds and everything in between.

We’re finally entering the final stretch of the 2023-24 basketball season as the 2024 NBA Finals begin on Thursday. There’s a ton of excitement in the air as the Dallas Mavericks get ready to take on the Boston Celtics for a Game 1 showdown at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Both teams swiftly advanced through their conference finals. The Mavericks effortlessly ousted the Minnesota Timberwolves in just five games, while the Celtics cruised to a clean sweep against the Indiana Pacers. Tonight, at TD Garden, which team will maintain their momentum and claim victory?

If you’re eager to experience the NBA Finals, then you’ve arrived at the perfect destination. Get ready as we delve into my forecasts and top bets for Game 1 between the Mavericks and Celtics. Prepare yourself for an exciting ride ahead!

NBA Finals 2024: Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 Betting (6/6)

Mavericks vs Celtics Game 2 Information

• Matchup: Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics (Series tied 0-0)
• Venue & Location: TD Garden (Boston, MA)
• Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024
• Game Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1: ABC

Celtics vs Mavericks NBA Game 1 Betting Odds & Spread

Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, June 6 at 9:51 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Mavericks vs Celtics Spread

• Dallas Mavericks +6.5 (-110)
• Boston Celtics -6.5 (-110)

Celtics vs Mavericks Over/Under

• Over 215.5 Points (-110)
• Under 215.5 Points (-110)

Mavericks vs Celtics Moneyline

• Dallas Mavericks (+205)
• Boston Celtics (-245)

You might also like: NBA Finals 2024: 3 Must-Bet Mavericks vs. Celtics Series Props

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Today

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks tonight? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 playoff game.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
• NBA news, futures betting, and best bets predictions
• How to bet on the NBA
• 2024 NBA MVP Odds & Picks

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Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Betting Trends

• In its previous eight road games against Boston, Dallas has a record of 2 wins and 6 losses.
• In its previous eight games against the Western Conference, Boston has maintained a perfect record of 8 wins and 0 losses.
• In its previous five road games, Dallas has an impressive 5-0 record against the spread.
• In the past six games against Dallas, Boston has an impressive record of 5-1 ATS.
• In four out of the last five games, Dallas exceeded the Over as the underdog.
• In six out of the last seven home games, Boston exceeded the total.

Mavericks vs Celtics Game 1 Predictions & NBA Picks Today (6/6)

Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight marks the beginning of a high-pressure situation. The Mavericks find themselves in unfamiliar territory, as it has been more than ten years since the franchise last reached the Finals. Consequently, all eyes will be on Luka Doncic to observe how he handles the intense spotlight. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving’s past championship experience will be crucial for the team.

The Celtics are making their second appearance in the championship within three years. However, their previous attempt in 2022 resulted in defeat against the Golden State Warriors in six games. Now, only time will reveal whether they have gleaned any valuable lessons from that failure.

Throughout the current NBA postseason, Boston has showcased an impressive offense. The Celtics hold the second position in points scored and rank third in field-goal percentage. Moreover, they have been consistently making 14.6 three-pointers per game, which is the highest among all teams in the league. In comparison, the Mavericks stand at sixth, fifth, and third place in the respective categories mentioned above.

Boston’s defense has been holding opponents to an average of 101.3 points per game, with shooting percentages of .467 from the field, .338 from beyond the arc, and .799 from the free-throw line. On the other hand, Dallas’ defense has allowed opponents to score an average of 103.9 points per game, with shooting percentages of .445 from the field, .356 from beyond the arc, and .785 from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks and Celtics have played well on both sides of the ball throughout the 2023-24 NBA playoffs. 

The Celtics and Mavericks faced off twice in the regular season, with the Celtics emerging victorious on both occasions. In January, Boston secured a 119-110 win in Dallas, followed by a dominant 138-110 victory at TD Garden on March 1. These wins extend the Celtics’ winning streak against the Mavericks to four games, with an average margin of victory of 19.8 points.

Furthermore, Dallas has suffered defeats in six out of its last eight visits to TD Garden and has been unable to secure a victory there since December 2021.

The Mavericks also have to deal with the fact that the Celtics will be at full strength as Kristaps Porzingis makes his 2024 postseason debut. The Latvia big man missed the last two rounds of the playoffs with a calf injury after averaging 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals against the Miami Heat in Round 1.

While Dallas has not yet ruled out anyone, their lineup is not fully healthy. Doncic is currently facing knee and ankle injuries but is anticipated to participate, whereas Olivier-Maxence Prosper’s availability remains uncertain due to a knee problem.

Will Kristaps Porzingis’ return give the Celtics an edge tonight? 

With Game 1 looming, I’m taking the Celtics to win tonight. They began each of their first three series with a victory and I see that trend continuing at TD Garden, where they’ve been near-unstoppable since the beginning of the season. Considering how Boston just blew Dallas out by 28 points at home a few months ago, I’d say the visitors are dealing with an uphill battle they won’t win.

Let’s also take the Celtics to cover the spread. After all, Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last six games against Dallas, which includes covering in both of their regular-season meetings. The Celtics are also 17-12-1 ATS (58.6%, 4th) in inter-conference matchups this year whereas the Mavericks are only 16-14 ATS (53.3%, T-9th) in that regard.

Considering that Boston has consistently outperformed Dallas by an average margin of almost 20 points in the past two years, I am confident that the home team will have a high chance of covering the spread.

Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction: BOS wins

Best Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Bet: BOS -6.5  (-110)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA picks today at BetOnline

Best Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Game 1 Prop Bet (6/6)

Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals is littered with solid Mavericks vs. Celtics player props, including Jayson Tatum o2.5 threes made (-132).

Despite his inconsistent three-point shooting performance in the playoffs, Tatum has managed to exceed the predicted number of three-pointers in three out of his last four games. Along the way, he has maintained an average of 2.8 successful three-point shots per game. In his previous two games, he has made 8 out of 21 attempts (38.1%) from beyond the arc. Tatum aims to continue this successful streak against the Mavericks, a team he previously scored five three-pointers against in March.

After successfully surpassing the Over in two out of his past three home games against the Mavericks, I anticipate Tatum to showcase another impressive performance from the perimeter.

Best Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Finals Game 1 Prop Bet: Jayson Tatum o2.5 Threes Made (-132)

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NBA Finals 2023-24 FAQ

When are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• Mark your calendars for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA Finals which kick off on Thursday, June 6th and conclude on Sunday, June 23rd, ensuring an action-packed tournament.

Where are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• TD Garden in Boston and American Airlines Center in Dallas will serve as the hosts for the 2023-24 NBA Finals.

How can I watch the 2023-24 Finals?

• Only ABC will broadcast all the games of the 2023-24 NBA Finals.

Where can I bet on the 2023-24 Finals?

• Basketball bettors can wager on this year’s NBA Championship and Finals MVP odds on the majority of online sportsbooks, including the following that Betting News highly recommends: