NBA Finals Betting Lines: Celtics Significant Favorites Over Mavs

Bobby Krivitsky | May 31, 2024

Jan 22, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports / Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

The stage is set for a best-of-seven between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks with the Larry O'Brien Trophy on the line.

Boston won its two regular-season tilts against Dallas, averaging 128.5 points to the latter's 110 in those matchups. The Celtics knocked down 40.4% of their threes while limiting the Mavericks to 31.1% shooting from beyond the arc.

After a 64-18 campaign, earning the NBA's best record, Jayson Tatum and Co. have efficiently reached the Finals, faring 12-2 in the Eastern Conference side of the bracket. They're generating 111.4 points per playoff game, the second-most this postseason, while yielding 101.3, the third-fewest allowed.

So, despite Dallas boasting two of the best scorers in the league in Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who both produced 36 points in the Mavericks' 124-103 closeout win over the Timberwolves, FanDuel Sportsbook currently has them at +188 odds while listing the Celtics as the favorites to capture the NBA title at -225 odds.

For perspective, that means a $100 wager on Boston at -225 would be to win $44.44 with a total payout of $144.44 if the Celtics raise Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters.

The favorite is 7-3 in the last 10 NBA Finals. According to ESPN Bet, the Celtics are the third team from the Eastern Conference to enter the NBA Finals as favorites since the Chicago Bulls in 1998. The other two were the 2011 and 2013 Miami Heat, led by the triumvirate of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.

The Celtics are -225 to beat the Mavericks in the NBA Finals ☘️

They join the 2011 and 2013 Heat as the only east teams to be favored in the finals since the '98 Bulls 😱 pic.twitter.com/RSiT4YH5Tc

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBet) May 31, 2024

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Further Reading

Joe Mazzulla Eviscerates Contrived Narrative about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

Celtics-Mavericks NBA Finals Has Kyrie Irving Between Boston and Banner 18

Report: Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis 'On Track' for NBA Finals Return

Al Horford Returns to NBA Finals Aiming to Add to a Legacy Already Cemented

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Propels Him to Eastern Conference Finals MVP

Crunch-Time Resolve Sends Celtics Back to NBA Finals