The Dallas Mavericks are 6.5-point underdogs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Thursday, tipping off at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. The point total is 217.5 for the matchup.
Celtics vs. Mavericks Odds
How to Bet on Celtics vs. Mavericks
Game Time and Information
Who Will Win Celtics vs. Mavericks?
Celtics and Mavericks Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread
In games this season they were favored by 6.5 points or more, the Celtics have a 30-23-3 record against the spread.
The Mavericks are 2-5 against the spread when an underdog by 6.5 points or more this season.
The Celtics and Mavericks average 21.0 more points between them than the total of 217.5 for this matchup.
Boston and Dallas have seen its opponents average a combined 7.3 more points per game than the point total of 217.5 set for this game.
The Celtics’ average point total in outings this season is 229.1, 11.6 points higher than the total in this game.
Dallas’ games this season have averaged a total of 234.8 points, 17.3 more than the point total in this matchup.
Boston is 42-36-4 against the spread this season.
The Mavericks have a 48-34-0 record against the spread this season.
Celtics Stats & Insights
The Celtics are outscoring opponents by 11.4 points per game with a +930 scoring differential overall. They put up 120.6 points per game (second in the NBA) and allow 109.2 per contest (fifth in the league).
The 46.3 rebounds per game the Celtics average rank second in the NBA, and are 3.0 more than the 43.3 their opponents record per outing.
Boston hits 16.5 three-pointers per game (first in the league), 3.6 more than its opponents (12.9).
The Celtics rank first in the league by averaging 124.1 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively are third in the NBA, allowing 112.4 points per 100 possessions.
The Celtics’ offense has been much better when playing at home (123.1 PPG) compared to road games (118.0 PPG). Likewise, their defense has been better in home games (107.9 PPG allowed) when compared to road games (110.5 PPG allowed).
Mavericks Stats & Insights
The Mavericks put up 117.9 points per game (seventh in league) while allowing 115.6 per outing (20th in NBA). They have a +181 scoring differential and outscore opponents by 2.3 points per game.
The 42.9 rebounds per game Dallas accumulates rank 21st in the NBA, 2.2 fewer than the 45.1 its opponents collect.
The Mavericks connect on 1.5 more threes per game than the opposition, 14.6 (third-most in the league) compared to their opponents’ 13.1.
The Mavericks rank 10th in the NBA with 118.4 points scored per 100 possessions, and 17th defensively with 116.2 points conceded per 100 possessions.
In 2023-24 Dallas is scoring 1.7 more points per game at home (118.7) than on the road (117.0).
Celtics Key Players to Watch
The Celtics get 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists from Jayson Tatum.
Derrick White contributes with 4.2 boards and 5.2 assists per game in addition to his 15.2 PPG scoring average.
The Celtics get 3.1 three-pointers per game out of Tatum.
Jaylen Brown picks pockets to the tune of 1.2 takeaways per game, while Kristaps Porzingis records 1.9 rejections per contest.
Mavericks Key Players to Watch
Luka Doncic is having a strong season overall, with 33.9 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game, and 9.8 assists per game.
Doncic hits 4.1 treys per game.
The Mavericks’ defensive efforts get a boost from Doncic (1.4 steals per game) and Daniel Gafford (2.1 blocks per game).
Celtics vs. Mavericks Prediction
Over (217.5)
Celtics 120 – Mavericks 109