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The Mavericks host the Celtics in the NBA Finals on Wednesday in Game 3! This series has been all Boston so far with the Celtics dominating Game 1 and then Game 2 was closer, but they still won to go up 2-0. The Mavericks must-win Game 3 to have any hope in this series. The Mavericks need more players to step up outside of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Let's continue our NBA odds series with a Celtics-Mavericks prediction and pick.
The Celtics were the best team in the NBA all season. They have been dominant in the postseason too, winning their first two series by five games and then swept their final one. They have the depth and talent to compete with anyone. They can come at teams in waves with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, but then Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are also stars in their own right. The Celtics seem to have not broken much of a sweat this series. The difference for the Celtics is they are just as good on both sides of the court. It is an NBA championship or bust for the Celtics, and so far they look as focused as ever.
The Mavericks have done wonders with their dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The key will again be where the scoring comes from after those two. PJ Washington has been that third scorer, but they have also gotten great play from Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford. The Mavericks have rolled through the postseason thanks to their duo just one season after flaming out and not even making the playoffs. They have playmaking, athleticism, and the coaching with Jason Kidd to win the title, but the Celtics have been too good so far. They need to win here and need more production from the supporting cast. The Mavericks have transformed from a great offensive team to a great defensive team and they need that intensity to show up back home.
Here are the NBA Finals odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Finals Odds: Celtics-Mavericks Game 3 Odds
Boston Celtics: +1.5 (-108)
Moneyline: +104
Dallas Mavericks: -1.5 (-112)
Moneyline: -122
Over: 213 (-110)
Under: 213 (-110)
How to Watch Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Finals Game 3
Time: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ABC
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread/Win
The Celtics have been the most well-rounded and best team in the NBA this season. They were second in scoring at 120.6 points per game, eighth in field goal percentage at 48.7%, and then second in three-point percentage at 38.8%. In the postseason, the Celtics are averaging 110.7 points per game, 47.8% from the field, and 36.2% from behind the arc. Five different Celtics are averaging over double digits with Jayson Tatum leading the way at 24.9 points per game, but he has not been the best player in either game in the NBA Finals. Tatum has been the difference maker for the Celtics in the postseason because he also leads the way in rebounding at 10.3 per game and in assists at 6.2 per game.
The Celtics' defense has been great all year and has been huge for them in the postseason. They were fifth in scoring defense at 109.2 points per game, second in field goal percentage defense at 45.3%, and fourth in three-point percentage defense at 35.2%. In the postseason, they are allowing 100.3 points per game, 46.4% from the field, and 32.9% from behind the arc. Four Celtics are averaging over one steal with Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday tied for the lead at 1.3 per game and each has been the two biggest x-factors on defense. Two Celtics average over one block per game with Porzingis leading at 1.8. Their defense does not get as much attention, but it is elite and has shut down every playmaker for the Mavericks.
Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread/Win
The Mavericks have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season thanks to their dynamic duo. They scored 117.9 points per game and shot 48.1% from the field and 36.9% from behind the arc. In the postseason, the Mavericks are averaging 107.9 points per game, 47.1% from the field, and 37.2% from behind the arc. Three Mavericks are averaging over double digits in scoring with Luka Doncic leading the way at 29 points per game. Doncic still does everything for the Mavericks because he also leads the way in rebounding at 9.6 per game and in assists at 8.8 per game. They need more from the rest of the team because Holiday has clamped down on Irving and the rest of the team.
The defense for the Mavericks has been a tale of two units this season. During the season, they struggled, allowing 115.6 points per game, allowing field goal percentage at 47.5% and 36.8% from behind the arc. In the postseason, a switch was flipped and their defense has been a massive x-factor. They are allowing 104.1 points per game, 44.7% from the field, and then they are allowing 35.2% from behind the arc. Two Mavericks average at least one steal per game with Doncic leading at 1.8 and Irving right behind him. Three Mavericks average at least one block per game with Daniel Gafford leading at 1.6. They need more from their defense to stay alive in this series.
Final Celtics-Mavericks Prediction & Pick
The Celtics have dominated this series so far, but with the series heading back to Dallas, the Mavericks are primed to try and turn it around. They need to win to have any chance left in this series and I think they win and cover in a very close game, to make the series 2-1 and avoid the dreaded 3-0 hole.
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Final Celtics-Mavericks Prediction & Pick: Mavericks -1.5 (-112)
