The Boston Celtics are going on the road to square off against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Wednesday night. Dallas needs to come out ready to play after dropping the first two matchups of the series. During the 2024 NBA playoffs, Boston is averaging 110.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Dallas is putting up 106.4 points per contest. Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Dallas.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Mavs are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Celtics vs. Mavericks odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 214.5. Before locking in any Mavericks vs. Celtics picks for the 2024 NBA Finals, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered the 2024 NBA Finals on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Mavs and just locked in its picks and NBA Finals predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Mavs vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Mavericks spread: Dallas -2.5
- Celtics vs. Mavericks over/under: 214.5 points
- Celtics vs. Mavericks money line: Dallas -145, Boston +123
- BOS: The Boston Celtics have hit the 4Q Under in 30 of their last 41 away games
- DAL: The Dallas Mavericks have hit the Under in 26 of their last 38 games at home
- Celtics vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
Guard Kyrie Irving has struggled through the first two games but he has the skillset to go off in any contest. Irving can score from all three levels with ease and is able to finish through contact around the basket. The 32-year-old is averaging 21.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in the playoffs. On May 30 versus the Timberwolves, Irving had 36 points and five assists.
The Mavs will need a few players to step up and forward Derrick Jones Jr. can be one of them. Jones Jr. is extremely athletic and can finish above the rim, while being an active defender on the wings. The UNLV product logs 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. In his last outing, he notched 11 points and three rebounds. See which team to pick here.
Why the Celtics can cover
Guard Derrick White is a two-way impact player who contributes across the board for Boston. After making his second All-Defensive team in the 2023-24 season, White is averaging 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in the Finals, to go along with 16.5 points. He is a big reason for Irving’s struggles from the field, and White is also knocking down 40.4% of his 3-point attempts in the 2024 NBA playoffs.
Center Al Horford is a veteran contributor who is able to stretch the floor due to his perimeter jumper, and he fights on the glass. The 38-year-old has scored in double figures in six matchups this postseason. In Game 1, he notched 10 points, seven boards, and made two 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
How to make Mavericks vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 212 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only see the model’s NBA playoff picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Mavericks, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 94-61 on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
