Dallas Mavericks (62-40) vs Boston Celtics (79-20)
Game Info: Friday, June 14, 2024 at 8:30 pm (American Airlines Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Dallas Mavericks +1 / Boston Celtics -1 — Over/Under: 211
The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks meet Friday in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the American Airlines Center. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics can win their first title since the 2007-08 season and their 18th title in franchise history. The Celtics are 7-0 SU on the road in these NBA playoffs. The Boston Celtics are averaging 110.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting and allowing 100.2 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 24.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer and Jrue Holiday is grabbing 6 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 80.5 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 33 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.3 rebounds per game.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
The Dallas Mavericks need a win to save their season and force a game 5 on Monday. The Mavs are 5-4 SU at home in these NBA playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks are averaging 106.1 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 104.2 points on 44.8 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 28.9 points and 8.4 assists, while Kyrie Irving is averaging 22.6 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 72.6 percent from the free throw line. The Dallas Mavericks are allowing 35.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.1 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Injury Report
The Mavericks will continue to be without Greg Brown III, who hasn’t played since January 7. Kristaps Porzingis is questionable for the Boston Celtics due to a leg injury. Porzingis missed game 3 and it was originally reported he could miss the remainder of the series. However, Porzingis participated in shoot around on Thursday and there’s optimism he could play in game 4.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 13 night games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last seven games against Celtics teams that held a winning record.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against Celtics teams that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in seven of their last eight night games against the Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- P.J. Washington is one of only three players to have scored 40+ points off the bench in a game this season.
- Kyrie Irving ranks 7th amongst qualified players for FT% (90.5%) this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Jrue Holiday ranks 2nd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (42.9%) this season.
- Derrick White is one of only four qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks are one of only two teams to win 15+ games when trailing at HT this season.
- The Mavericks are one of only two teams to lose a game when leading by 20+ points after Q1 this season.
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (11.9).
Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
I’d love to see the Mavericks find a way to win and make this series somewhat interesting. However, I lost hope after game 3. The Mavs supporting cast isn’t helping the way it was in previous games and game 3, it was the Luka – Kyrie show, so the others didn’t even really have a chance to get in a rhythm. Luka is complaining way too much, he’s a traffic cone defensively, and it just ruins the whole vibe. The Boston Celtics seem to have an answer for everything the Mavs throw at them, and they’ve now won 7 straight games against them. Kyrie himself hasn’t beat the Celtics since the Titanic sank. Also, there’s a chance Porzingis plays, which doesn’t help matters for Dallas.
Again, I’ll be rooting for the Mavs to extend this series so we get more basketball. As a bettor, I have to side with the Celtics, as the Mavs have blown chance after chance and the moral doesn’t seem to be great at the moment.