Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 NBA Betting Picks and Prediction for Thursday, June 6, 2024

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 – The NBA Finals are set to ignite with an electrifying showdown as the Dallas Mavericks, who finished the season with a strong 50-32 record, take on the formidable Boston Celtics, boasting an impressive 64-18 tally. This pivotal Game 1 is not just a battle of giants but also a showcase of two of the league’s premier talents: Luka Doncic of the Mavericks and Jayson Tatum of the Celtics. As we delve into the details, this game also emerges as a highlight for enthusiasts and analysts involved in Canadian best sports betting, offering a plethora of opportunities.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 Celtics

Date & Time: Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 8:30 PM ET

Location: TD Garden

TV: ABC

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds

TeamMoneylineSpreadTotal
Mavericks+200+6.5 (-110)214.5 over  (-110)
Celtics-247-6.5 (-110)214.5 under (-110)

Dallas Mavericks Analysis

The Maverick’s offense led by Luka Doncic has been aggressive and efficient in the playoffs scoring 107.9 points a game on 47.1% field goal attempts. This account does not take into consideration their efficiency from outside the three-point line for which they hit a 12.6 three-point field goals per game on a 37.2%)shooting percentage, however with Doncic making and taking the crucial three-point shots possible under pressure.

On the defensive side of the game, while there is a fair variation in Dallas, they are stable in average rebounds with 43.1 and 6.2 in blocks. Though, the 12.1 turnovers per game have at times stalled the offense and will need to be cut down against a physical Boston team.

This postseason, the main man Luka Doncic has been on a completely different level than he was during the regular season. Scoring 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8. 8 assist per game he is still the main pillar of Mavericks and his role will be significant in penetrating through the Celtics’ defense.

Boston Celtics Analysis

Offensively, Boston has emerged slightly better than Dallas having scored 111.4 points per game and shooting from the field at 48%. Their shooting, especially their three-point shooting led by Jayson Tatum is very dangerous as they shoot an average of 14.6 made threes per game. This kind of firepower will put the Mavericks on the spot and challenge their adjustments on that end tremendously.

The defense is also credited to the Celtics who average 43.7 total rebounds per game and committing few turnovers, at 10.2 per game. Their ability to contain Dallas will lie in their ability to prevent the latter from getting under their skin and scoring goals in abundance.

Jayson Tatum also contributed all around with his averages of 26 points and 10. 4 rebounds in the playoffs. That role will be immensely important in setting the mood for the succeeding games in the series.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Against the Spread

The Mavericks have shown resilience on the road with a 27-14 record against the spread, suggesting they often outperform expectations in challenging environments. Their last 5 games have seen a balanced 3-2 record both overall and against the spread.

The Celtics have mirrored the Mavericks in recent form, also going 3-2 in their last five games. However, their ability to push the total over in 4 of these 5 games suggests their games tend to be high-scoring, which could be a crucial factor in betting the total.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Free Pick

Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:

Moneyline: Boston Celtics (-247). The Celtics’ strong home-court advantage and superior regular-season record make them the safer bet in this high-stakes opener.

Spread: Dallas Mavericks +6.5. Given Dallas’ ability to keep games close, especially with Doncic at the helm, they are likely to cover the spread even if they fall short of a win.

Total: Over 214.5. Both teams have potent offenses that could easily push the total over, especially in a game that will set the tempo for the rest of the series.

Predicted Score: Boston Celtics 112, Dallas Mavericks 107

The most reliable pick for today’s match up appears to be taking the Mavericks to cover the +6.5 spread. Given their consistent performance against the spread on the road and the high stakes of an NBA Finals game, they are expected to keep it competitive. This prediction aligns closely with NBA Finals free picks today, where strategic insights suggest favoring strong offensive teams to cover in tight contests.