A star-studded showdown features the Boston Celtics hosting the Dallas Mavericks in a Game 2 affair of the 2024 NBA Finals on Sunday. The Mavericks have recorded five wins after suffering a loss during this postseason run. Meanwhile, Boston has gone 13-2 in its 15 games in the 2024 NBA playoffs. The Celtics are averaging 111.1 points per game in the postseason, while Dallas logs 106.9 points per contest.
Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. The latest Mavericks vs. Celtics odds from SportsLine consensus list Boston as the 6.5-point favorite, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5. Before locking in any Celtics vs. Mavericks 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: Boston -6.5
- Celtics vs. Mavericks over/under: 214.5 points
- Celtics vs. Mavericks money line: Boston -269, Dallas +217
- BOS: The total has gone Over in five of Boston's past seven games
- DAL: The Mavericks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against Boston
- Celtics vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
The Mavericks need their role players to step up in this contest. Forward P.J. Washington will be one of the players they lean on as a three-level scorer and an athletic wing defender. He can play well off the ball due to his smooth jumper on the outside. He's averaging 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the 2024 NBA playoffs. In Game 1, Washington finished with 14 points and eight boards.
Forward Derrick Jones Jr. is another athletic playmaker in the frontcourt. Jones Jr. has good bounce to rise above the rim while using his range to stretch the floor. The 27-year-old logs 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per matchup in the playoffs. Over his last four games, Jones has knocked down seven of his 10 3-point attempts. See which team to pick here.
Why the Celtics can cover
Guard Derrick White consistently provides Boston with a crisp shooter in the backcourt while being a good ball handler. White has the ability to knockdown 3-pointers with ease and owns good playmaking skills. The 29-year-old puts up 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in the 2024 NBA playoffs. In his last outing, White had 15 points and five assists.
Guard Jaylen Brown has been a dominant force for the Celtics this postseason. Brown can score at will from all three levels on the court. The three-time All-Star averages 24.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per contest in the 2024 NBA playoffs. He's tallied 26-plus points in seven outings during Boston's playoff run. In the May 27 win versus the Pacers, Brown notched 29 points and six boards. See which team to pick here.
How to make Mavericks vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 219 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 almost 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.
