Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 09/06/2024, 01:16  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 09/06/2024 at 01:18 in NBA Predictions

The Boston Celtics will look to go 2-0 up in the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks when they host game two. They won game one 107-89 at home and with the series switching to Dallas after this, they must defend home court. The Celtics have dominated in the postseason just like they did during the regular season. Joe Mazzulla’s men have suffered just two defeats throughout these playoffs and are currently on an eight-game winning streak. The two losses they have suffered, however, have come at home and coincidentally have been the second game of a series. Boston were convincing in game one and at one point had accumulated a 29-point lead. They dominated on both ends of the pitch, shooting 47% from the field and putting up nine blocks as well as 47 rebounds. Boston, who are back in the finals for the second time in three years, benefited greatly from the return of Kristaps Porzingis. The centre had been forced to miss five weeks with a soleus injury but did not look rusty by any means in game one. He put up 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks in just 21 minutes. The former Maverick went through game one unscathed but still remains on the injury report as questionable. Boston, who are averaging 111.1 points in the playoffs, have now won the last five matchups with Dallas.

The Dallas Mavericks were a shell of themselves in game one. They never had an answer to what the Celtics threw at them. This resulted in their worst points tally since an 86-point night against the Thunder back in April during the regular season. It is worth noting that in that particular game, they were undermanned as nine players missed through injury. Among the nine were Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Lively and Daniel Gafford. Fast forward to game one of the finals and the Mavericks were at full strength but never really stood a chance at winning. Jason Kidd’s men are averaging 106.9 points in the playoffs, shooting 46.8 points from the field and 36.7% from three. In game one, however, they never got close to those figures. They shot 41% from the field and only 25% from three. Luka Doncic put up a game-high 30 points but was the only Maverick to score at least 20. His running mate, Kyrie Irving had a woeful game. The former Celtic managed just 12 points, shooting 32% from the field and missed all five attempted three-pointers. Dallas however have grinded through these playoffs and will not be worried too much by game one. The Mavs, who are back in the finals after 13 years, have lost game one twice. Seven of their 12 wins in the postseason have also come on the road. Dallas had a scare in game one as Doncic briefly left the game in the first quarter with knee discomfort. He is on the injury report for this game but is expected to play.