The Dallas Mavericks will battle the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. We're here to share our NBA Finals odds series and make a PJ Washington points-per-game prediction and pick.

Washington has a chance to make an impact in this series while everyone else is focused on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. After spending the first 4.5 seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets, he came to the Mavericks in a trade. Ultimately, this is the time to shine, and Washington looks to capitalize on it.

But how will he do in his first chance under the bright lights? Will he become the player that comes out of nowhere? Or will he fold? We will look at how he has done in these playoffs and examine his odds to hit the target,

Here are the NBA Finals odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Finals Odds: PJ Washington Points Per Game Odds

Over: 11.5 points (-132)

Under: 11.5 points (+104)

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Why PJ Washington Will Hit the Over

Washington has averaged 13.6 points per game throughout the NBA Playoffs. That right there should tell you why he will hit the over. Amazingly, he has gotten better as the playoffs have rolled along.

While he did not have an explosive series against the Los Angeles Clippers, he did have some great moments. First, he had 18 points while shooting 5 for 10 in Game 2. Washington also added 14 points while shooting 4 for 9 in Game 5. Yes, he averaged just 13 points per game in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, but he also managed to show up when it mattered in the end.

Washington took his game to the next level in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After scoring just 10 points in Game 1, he managed 29 points in Game 2 while shooting 11 for 18.

His ability to create the perfect shot helped torpedo the Mavericks to a victory to split the series before heading back to Dallas. Then, Washington replicated the effort in Game 3 with 27 points while shooting 11 for 23, including 5 for 12 from beyond the arc. Washington had 21 points while shooting 7 for 19, including 5 for 11 from the triples in Game 4. Overall, he finished with 17.6 points per game.

But Washington was not as consistent against the Wolves. Regardless, he still managed to hit his target, starting with Game 1, when he scored 13 points while shooting 4 for 10. Washington then scored 16 points in Game 3 while shooting 5 for 10. Likewise, he helped the effort in Game 5 with 12 points on 4 for 9 shooting.

While the Celtics will likely focus on Doncic and Iriving, Washington may be a threat they don't see coming. Furthermore, that focus on Doncic and Irving may open up the floor for Washington to get some extra opportunities and score some buckets.

Washington will hit the over because he has consistently improved throughout the postseason and hit his target every time. Additionally, the extra focus on the star players may benefit him.

Why PJ Washington Will Hit the Under

But Washington will probably have to overcome one of the best defenders in the NBA, Jrue Holiday. Significantly, Holiday has not faced anyone who comes close to him. No one on the Clippers, Thunder, or Wolves had a defender that compares to him, which may make things difficult.

But looking back at his performance throughout the playoffs, there were some instances where he disappeared. Notably, he scored just two points in Game 5 against the Clippers while shooting a pathetic 1 for 7.

It happened again in the Western Conference Semifinals when he managed just nine points in Game 6 while shooting 2 for 6. Significantly, this came after managing just 10 points in Game 5 while shooting 4 for 9.

Washington went under 11 points twice in the Western Conference Finals. First, he managed just 10 points on 4 of 11 shooting in Game 2. Washington then had 10 points in Game 4 while shooting 3 for 13, including 2 for 9. Therefore, there were some games where he just couldn't get things going.

Take a grand look at his overall game. Curiously, he is very similar to Derrick White in that he lives and dies off the three-point shot. With Holiday draped on him, it might be challenging to hit those shots from beyond the arc. This is where Washington needs to be pesky and spring open. Possibly, they could use a package where Doncic is the bait, and it forces the Celtics to converge on him to give Washington some chances. Yet, the Celtics may pose the worst threat possible in preventing that from happening.

Washington may hit the under because he will face the toughest defender he has faced this season. Moreover, it may affect his ability to hit from downtown.

Final PJ Washington Points Per Game Prediction

Washington has become a reliable third option. Additionally, he is on a really well-coached team. That means they will call some good plays for him, which may enable him to escape Holiday. No, he will not go off for 30 points. But Washington may do enough to cover the odds. Consider the fact that he has averaged over 11.5 points in all three series. Subsequently, we find no issues with him doing so again as he averages anywhere between 12-13 points per game.

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Final PJ Washington Points Per Game Prediction: Over: 11.5 points (-132)