NBA Finals 2024 Preview: Mavericks vs Celtics Series Odds, Schedule & Early Picks

This 2023-24 NBA Finals preview and early Mavericks vs. Celtics betting picks are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from NBA postseason odds to the UFC and everything in between.

The 2023-24 basketball season is officially down to just two teams as we finally reach this year’s NBA Finals. The latest championship matchup is shaping up to be a good one as the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics are set to collide in a best-of-seven series beginning on Thursday, June 6.

Scoring champs to reach the NBA Finals in the same season over the last 50 years… Luka joins an elite group! ?

Doncic and the @dallasmavs visit Boston for Game 1 of the #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV on Thursday at 8:30pm/et on ABC. pic.twitter.com/mmKiPM6gah

— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2024

After what these teams have gone through to reach this point, you can bet this series will be an absolute war. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics have the experience advantage, however, you can never doubt the Mavericks as long as Luka Doncic is around.

This year’s finals, as usual, are laced with betting opportunities, whether you’re looking for single-game bets or wanting to wager on the Finals MVP race. When it comes to the series’ outcome, this article has you covered.

Let’s dive into this 2023-24 NBA Finals preview, featuring the latest series odds, the upcoming schedule, and my early betting picks.

NBA Finals 2024: Mavericks vs. Celtics Series Schedule

• Game 1: @ TD Garden — Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 2: @ TD Garden — Sunday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 3: @ American Airlines Center — Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 4: @ American Airlines Center — Friday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 5: @ TD Garden — Monday, June 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 6: @ American Airlines Center — Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 7: @ TD Garden — Sunday, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

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Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Finals Odds

All Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals 2024 odds are courtesy of BetOnline. 

• Series odds: Mavericks (+175) | Celtics (-205)
• Number of games: 4 (+475) | 5 (+240) | 6 (+210) | 7 (+225)
• Series total: 5.5 games — Over (-160) | Under (-130)
• Most likely scenario: Celtics 4-1 (+325)

NBA Finals MVP Odds 2023-24

All Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals MVP 2024 odds are courtesy of BetOnline. 

• Jayson Tatum, BOS (-115)
• Luka Doncic, DAL (+200)
• Jaylen Brown, BOS (+650)
• Kyrie Irving, DAL (+1400)
• Derrick White, BOS (+3300)
• Kristaps Porzingis, BOS (+3500)
• Jrue Holiday, BOS (+5000)
• P.J. Washington, DAL (+25000)
• Al Horford, BOS (+25000)
• Derrick Jones Jr., DAL (+50000)

Early Mavericks vs Celtics NBA Finals Predictions & Best Bet

After three grueling rounds to begin the NBA postseason, the Mavericks and Celtics will now decide who gets to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy this spring.

The Mavericks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since winning it all back in 2011. Doncic & Co. have been tested throughout the playoffs thus far, eliminating the Oklahoma City Thunder and LA Clippers in six games before overcoming the Minnesota Timberwolves in five to win the Eastern Conference Finals.

Meanwhile, this year marks the Celtics’ second NBA Finals appearance in the last three seasons. After coming up short two years ago, Boston aims to win its first title in 16 years after eliminating the Miami Heat (5 games), Cleveland Cavaliers (5 games), and Indiana Pacers (4 games) to get here.

Some fans and experts alike have criticized the Celtics for having an “easy” path to the 2023-24 NBA Finals. 

The 2024 NBA Finals also boast an incredible amount of star power. The Mavericks are led by Doncic (28.8 PTS/9.6 REB/8.8 AST) and Kyrie Irving (22.8 PTS/3.9 REB/5.2 AST), who are both firmly on the same page at this point. It’ll be interesting to see how Irving performs against the Celtics, who he spent two seasons with half a decade ago.

Meanwhile, the C’s have reached this point due to key contributions from Jayson Tatum (26.0 PTS/10.4 REB/.5.9 AST) and Jaylen Brown (25.0 PTS/6.1 REB), who are finally taking their game to the next level. That’s without mentioning the other all-star-quality players Boston boasts like Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and ex-Maverick Kristaps Porzingis.

Due to their playing in opposite conferences, the Mavericks and Celtics only collide twice during the regular season. Boston managed to pick up a win in both showdowns, first winning 119-110 on the road on Jan. 22 before tallying a massive 138-110 victory at TD Garden on March 1.

As a result of those victories, the Celtics are now 11-5 SU in their last 16 meetings with the Mavericks, which includes winning each of the last four matchups by an average of 19.8 points per game.

The Mavericks haven’t had much luck against the Celtics in recent years. Will Kyrie Irving overcome his former team?

As good as both teams are, I’m taking the Celtics to win the NBA Finals. Boston has consistently gone on deep playoff runs lately, which is the type of experience that’ll help them at this point. The Mavericks are good, but this is uncharted territory for them and we have to remember they haven’t played for a championship since Doncic was 14 years old.

As for the best series bet, let’s go with the Celtics in six games. The Mavericks are good enough to avoid being swept and I won’t be surprised if they steal a win in Boston along with one at home. The Celtics are the better team in this series, no doubt, but let’s not sell the Mavs short just yet.

Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Prediction: BOS

Best Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Bet: BOS 4-2 (+425)

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NBA Finals 2023-24 FAQ

When are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• The 2023-24 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 6, and should be wrapped up by Sunday, June 23.

Where are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• The 2023-24 NBA Finals will be played at TD Garden (Boston) and American Airlines Center (Dallas).

How can I watch the 2023-24 Finals?

• Every game of the 2023-24 NBA Finals will be airing exclusively on ABC.

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:

• Trusted Online Sportsbooks
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