Celtics vs Mavericks NBA Finals Game 1 Betting Odds, How To Watch

The 2023-2024 NBA season is coming to an end—but it may take a while. There will be two days of rest between most of these NBA Finals games between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. Thankfully, Game 1 is finally here on Thursday, and the Celtics will look to slay their home playoff demons by holding onto home court advantage.

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals Game 1 Betting Odds

All odds provided by Sports Interaction.

When to Watch and How to Watch Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 1

Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the No. 1 seed in the East, the Boston Celtics, and the No. 5 seed in the West, the Dallas Mavericks, tips off at Boston’s TD Garden on Thursday, June 6 at 8:30PM E.T. Canadian viewers can watch the action on TSN3 and TSN4 as well as the TSN app. NBA fans in America can catch the game and the rest of the series on ABC, the official home of the NBA Finals.

Celtics vs. Mavericks Point Spread Betting Preview

You can only beat what’s in front of you, and the Celtics have done that, just not in a very convincing manner. The Heat stole a game without Jimmy Butler, the Spida-less Cavs made the final two games of that series very tight in the final quarter, and the Pacers could have easily won Games 1, 3, and 4, the last two of which were without Tyrese Haliburton.

Kristaps Porzingis is coming back, but even so, that’s not a ringing endorsement. And yet, you can’t really pick against Boston straight up. They are pretty clearly the more talented team with the Unicorn back in action, and they’ve got a lot more defensive stoppers than the Mavs.

Even the numbers and trends are saying pick the Celtics straight up: the Mavericks are just 2-6 SU in Game 1s since Luka Doncic first took them to the postseason in 2020. To boot, the Celtics have gone 13-6 in Game 1s since 2018.

But even so, that’s only relevant to the moneyline. The point spread trends, especially the more recent ones—which should weigh more heavily depending on who you ask—point to a Mavericks cover.

The Celtics have struggled to dominate teams like sports betting sites expect them too, going 2-6 ATS in their last eight despite winning ‘em all but one. Meanwhile the Mavericks have been especially good at exceeding the expectations of Ontario sportsbooks. Dallas comes into this one as the dog, but they’ve done the same going into every series of their improbable 2024 playoff run.

They’ve covered in seven of their last 10 games, which includes an impressive 6-1 ATS mark as the underdog, a trend that’s difficult to ignore. Since losing Game 1 of their first round series against the Clippers by 12, the Mavs have only lost four times, and only one of those was by more than five points. They’re just not getting blown out.

To that end, while we believe the Celtics will end up taking a 1-0 lead in this series by the the final buzzer, the 6.5 point spread is surprising. Dallas might lose, but not by much, so we’re taking their +6.5 point spread at -110 odds.

Here are a few NBA betting trends from this season to consider:

• Boston has only covered the spread in 2 of their last 8 games despite winning all but 1 SU
• Dallas has covered the spread in 7 of their last 10
• Dallas is 6-1 ATS as the underdog during the postseason
• Dallas is 34-16 ATS on the road this year, the best mark in the NBA
• Boston is 26-21-2 ATS as the home favorite this season
• Boston is 36-35-4 ATS after a win this year
• Luka Doncic’s Mavericks are 2-6 SU in Game 1s since 2020

Top Celtics vs. Mavericks Player Points Props

Both Tatum and Doncic have gone under their prop number here in 10 of their last 15. Meanwhile, Brown has gone over his 22.5 number in four straight games and eight of his last 10. He’s also averaging over 24.8 points per game in his last six Game 1s, as he regularly gets out early and sets his tone for the series. Take his over at less-than-ideal -125 odds.

Irving is another guy that likes to come out and punch his opponents in the mouth in Game 1s. He’s gone even further over his number, averaging 29 per Game 1 in his last six playoff series, which includes a 30-ball in the West Finals this year and 31 in a loss against the Clippers in round 1 earlier this spring. The -110 odds on his 23.5 prop are calling our names.