Boston Celtics (78-20) vs. Dallas Mavericks (62-39)
June 12, 2024 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Dallas Mavericks -2.5; Over/Under: +212.5
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The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks meet Wednesday in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the American Airlines Center. Here’s a Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Prediction.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics have won 9 straight games and look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Celtics are 6-0 SU on the road in these NBA playoffs. The Boston Celtics are averaging 111.1 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 100.7 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 24.9 points and 10.3 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 24.6 points and 6 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer and Jrue Holiday is grabbing 6.1 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 33.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.8 rebounds per game.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
The Dallas Mavericks have won 8 of their last 12 games and need a win to get back in this series. The Mavs are 5-3 SU at home in these NBA playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks are averaging 106.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 104.1 points on 44.7 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 29 points and 8.5 assists, while Kyrie Irving is averaging 21.9 points and 3.7 rebounds. PJ Washington is the third double-digit scorer and Derrick Jones Jr. is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The Dallas Mavericks are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 72.1 percent from the free throw line. The Dallas Mavericks are allowing 35.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.1 rebounds per game.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Injury Report
The Mavericks will continue to be without Greg Brown III, who hasn’t played since January 7. Olivier-Maxence Prosper is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Prosper has played just one minute for the Mavs in these playoffs. Kristaps Porzingis is questionable for the Boston Celtics due to a leg injury. Porzingis says he’ll do everything he can to play, but coach Joe Mazzulla said it’s a serious injury and need to be careful.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The favorites have won each of the Celtics’ last nine games.
- The Celtics have lost 12 of their last 13 playoff road games against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in each of their last seven Wednesday games.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven road games following a win.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (33.9) this season.
- Daniel Gafford ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (72.5%) this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Al Horford ranks 1st amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (41.9%) this season.
- Jaylen Brown ranks T3rd in the league for fast break points (310) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
- The Mavericks rank 2nd in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (39.5).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.3).
- The Celtics rank T1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.6).
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Prediction
The Mavericks are down 0-2 in this series, because everybody outside of Luka has taken the first two games off. Kyrie has been passive, PJ Washington has regressed, Jones Jr. air balled a wide open three, and you can go down the line. At home, where the Mavs are 30-19 SU, you’d assume the cast around Luka will be more comfortable and play at a higher level. The injury to Kristaps Porzingis also opens the door for the Mavericks, as the Celtics’ offense hasn’t been as good without him on the floor, and it does take away some of their spacing.
Bottom line is this is a must win game if the Mavericks are going to make this a series. At home and likely no KP, there are no excuses for the Mavericks. Get Kyrie to play like Kyrie, and the Mavs inch back into this series with a nice game 3 victory. I’ll lay the bucket with the home team.
