Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 prediction: Boston favored to win, Luka Doncic projected for massive NBA Finals debut [2024]

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The Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden on Thursday. Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. ET, with superstars Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum both projected to put up big numbers.

Luka Dončić, who has been a powerhouse for the Mavericks throughout the postseason, averaged 27 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in the conference finals.

On the other side, the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum has been equally impressive, averaging 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game as they defeated the Pacers 4-0 last round.

Our model predicts Dončić will lead the Mavericks with 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Tatum is forecasted to score 28 points, grab 10 rebounds, and dish out 7 assists. With both teams’ stars primed for big games, the NBA Finals opener promises to be an electrifying showdown.

Are you using these predictions to bet on the NBA Finals? If so, check your eligibility for this Bet365 bonus code, which is eligible in multiple states, including Massachusetts:

Note: This preview includes Dimers’ best bets and predicted scoreline for the Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics. To unlock Dimers’ full suite of data-driven betting insights, which includes daily props, trends, and parlays, sign up for Dimers Pro with promo code SYRACUSE10, which will save you 10% off your first subscription payment.

Mavericks vs. Celtics betting preview: Game 1

Featuring the likes of Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and P.J. Washington, the Mavericks are aiming to beat a Celtics team that boasts Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis.

Explore the interactive widget below to discover the current spread, over/under, and moneyline betting odds and probabilities for the Mavericks-Celtics game at TD Garden.

This Game 1 prediction and best bet for Thursday’s NBA matchup between the Mavericks and Celtics is from Dimers.com, a reliable source for sports betting predictions.

Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals is at Boston’s TD Garden. The winner of the best-of-seven series between the Celtics and Mavericks will be crowned the NBA champion.

Check out all the important details on today’s game, as well as the best odds sourced from the top sportsbooks in the country.

Game details

The key information you need before the Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA game.

Game 1 Odds

Odds for the key markets in the Mavericks-Celtics NBA game.

  • Spread: Mavericks +6.5 (-110), Celtics -6.5 (-108)
  • Moneyline: Mavericks +205, Celtics -230
  • Total: Over/Under 214.5 (-110/-110)

The odds and lines presented here are the best available from selected sports betting sites at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Expert prediction: Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1

Leveraging state-of-the-art data analysis and advanced algorithms, Dimers has executed 10,000 simulations of Thursday’s Mavericks vs. Celtics game.

According to Dimers’ renowned predictive analytics model, the Celtics are more likely to defeat the Mavericks at TD Garden. This prediction is based on the model giving the Celtics a 71% chance of winning Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Furthermore, Dimers predicts that the Celtics (-6.5) have a 51% chance of covering the spread, while the 214.5-point over/under has a 51% chance of staying under.

As always, these predictions and probabilities are correct at the time of publication but are subject to potential changes.

Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 best bet

Our top pick for Mavericks vs. Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday is to bet on the Celtics moneyline (-230).

This betting advice is based on detailed simulations and valuable wagering intelligence, designed to deliver you the best possible plays.

Score prediction for Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1

Dimers’ predicted final score for Dallas vs. Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals has the Celtics prevailing 110-103.

This expert prediction is based on each team’s average score following 10,000 game simulations, offering a glimpse into the potential outcome.

NBA player props: Thursday

NBA player props are a common way to place wagers on the Mavericks vs. Celtics matchup without necessarily betting on the result of the game.

Dimers has crunched the numbers to project the individual performance of key players in terms of points, assists, and rebounds, with Luka and Jayson’s stats highlighted above.

Jaylen Brown has been a critical asset for the Celtics, especially in the conference finals, where he averaged 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

Kyrie Irving has equally been a cornerstone for the Mavericks, contributing an average of 24.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in the conference finals. Plus, according to Dimers, Irving provides the best value for those betting on the first basket tonight.

Mavericks Celtics Game 1 prop picks

To get a better idea of how each player might impact the game, here is a breakdown of the projected box scores for both teams:

Dallas Mavericks prediction

  • Luka Dončić: 33 PTS, 9 REB, 10 AST
  • Kyrie Irving: 27 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST
  • P.J. Washington: 13 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST
  • Dereck Lively: 11 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST
  • Daniel Gafford: 10 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST

Boston Celtics prediction

  • Jayson Tatum: 28 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST
  • Jaylen Brown: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST
  • Kristaps Porzingis: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST
  • Derrick White: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST
  • Jrue Holiday: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST

NBA Finals: Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1

Get ready for Thursday’s game between the Mavericks and Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, which is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET. To add an extra level of excitement, you might want to consider exploring Dimers Pro, where you can get the best parlay bets today.

We emphasize that all of the NBA predictions and NBA best bets in this article are based on 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Mavericks vs. Celtics matchup, and they are correct at the time of publication to help you make better decisions when placing bets at online sportsbooks.

Please remember to gamble responsibly and seek reputable sources for accurate and up-to-date information when making online betting choices.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mac Douglass | Special Correspondent

Mac Douglass is the Senior Sports Betting Editor at Cipher Sports Technology Group. In addition to covering the sports betting industry for several news sites across the US, Mac provides Formula 1 analysis and betting tips for Dimers, and tennis commentary for Stats Insider.

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