2024 NBA Finals: Mavericks vs. Celtics Odds & Picks (Game 3)
The Boston Celtics earned back-to-back wins to begin the 2024 NBA Finals.
Ultimately, the Mavericks missed an opportunity in Game 2. Dallas outshot Boston and held the Celtics to 25.9% from downtown.
Additionally, the Celtics earned a couple more rebounds and scored more points in the paint. Yet, Dallas didn’t come away with the victory on the road, even after Luka Doncic added a triple-double.
Kyrie Irving put up another low-quality game with only 16 points on 7-for-18 from the field. Plus, no player scored more than 17 points other than Doncic in Game 2.
Can Dallas turn things around at home in Game 3? Let’s talk about it below. Here are my top 2024 NBA Finals picks ahead of Game 3 between the Celtics and Mavericks.
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2024 NBA Finals Picks: Mavericks vs. Celtics (Game 3)
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Series Winner
The Mavericks lost two road games to begin the NBA Finals. But as long as they take care of business on their home floor and escape with either Game 5 or Game 7, they will win the NBA Finals.
If you took the Mavericks before the series, you knew it was unlikely they would win both games on the road. It would’ve been nice if the Mavs had added one, but until the Mavericks lose a home game, this series isn’t over and won’t be over until Game 7.
Bet: Dallas Mavericks (+550)
NBA Finals MVP
I suggested Jaylen Brown to win the MVP after Game 2 at +310. He’s currently at +175 but still trailing behind Jayson Tatum on the odds board.
However, even in the Eastern Conference Finals, Tatum was favored to win the ECF MVP, and it went to Brown.
While Tatum added 18 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds in Game 2, he also shot 6-for-22 from the floor and hit just one three-pointer in 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, Brown has been terrific defensively and added 21 points on 8-for-15 from the field. If you like the Celtics to win the Championship, I’d still consider Brown.
Bet: Jaylen Brown (+175)
If you like Dallas to win the NBA Finals, then you like Luka Doncic to win the MVP. No player on the Mavericks has scored more than 20 points in either game to start the NBA Finals other than Doncic. Meanwhile, Doncic just added a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
I’d rather this price than the Dallas to win at +550 price.
Bet: Luka Doncic (+600)
Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 3 Best Bet
The Dallas Mavericks have shot the ball poorly to begin the NBA Finals. Dallas has scored no more than 105.4 points per 100 possessions in both games.
But let’s go back to the Minnesota series. The Mavericks were good offensively in the first two games but not great. In Game 3, Dallas came home and shot a 66.2% effective field goal percentage and scored 128.9 points per 100 possessions, thanks to a 38.2 free throw rate. It was one of their best offensive nights in the NBA postseason this year.
In a must-win spot, I’ll trust the Mavericks.
Bet: Mavericks ML (-125)