The Boston Celtics will look to maneuver one step nearer to their report 18th NBA championship once they tackle the Dallas Mavericks in Recreation 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airways Heart in Dallas on Wednesday. The Celtics, who’re tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for many NBA titles, are coming off a 105-98 win in Recreation 2 to take a 2-0 collection lead. The Celtics (64-18), who’re 14-2 this postseason, are on a nine-game successful streak since shedding to Cleveland 118-94 in Recreation 2 of the second spherical. The Mavericks (50-32), the fifth seed within the West, are 12-7 through the 2024 NBA playoffs. Boston leads the all-time collection 48-40, together with a 2-0 edge through the postseason.
Tipoff is about for 8:30 p.m. ET. The Mavericks are 1.5-point favorites within the newest Celtics vs. Mavericks odds from SportsLine consensus, whereas the over/below for complete factors scored is 212.5. Earlier than making any Celtics vs. Mavericks picks, you’ll want to try what legendary SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall has to say.
An in-demand visitor on quite a few sports activities speak radio and TV exhibits throughout the nation, Marshall’s huge array of editorial work has been featured within the Las Vegas Evaluation-Journal, the New York Submit and plenty of different shops. He has received varied handicapping titles and likewise is engaged on a number of e book initiatives. Marshall has crushed his NBA picks this season for SportsLine members, coming into this matchup on a 196-145-3 run that has returned practically $3,700 for $100 gamers. Anyone following is means up.
Now, he has set his sights on Celtics vs. Mavericks and simply locked in his picks and NBA Finals predictions. You possibly can go to SportsLine now to see his picks. Listed here are the NBA traces and developments for Celtics vs. Mavericks:
- Celtics vs. Mavericks unfold: Dallas -1.5
- Celtics vs. Mavericks over/below: 212.5 factors
- Celtics vs. Mavericks cash line: Dallas -126, Boston +106
- BOS: The Celtics have hit the first-half cash line in 40 of their final 47 away video games (+29.75)
- DAL: The Mavericks have hit the sport complete Beneath in 26 of their final 38 video games at dwelling (+12.80 models)
- Celtics vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cowl
Level guard Luka Doncic registered his second triple-double over the previous 4 video games on Sunday, scoring 32 factors, whereas including 11 assists, 11 rebounds and 4 steals in 42 minutes of motion. It’s his third consecutive 30-plus level complete as properly, and he has scored 30 or extra factors 10 instances this postseason. He has performed properly in opposition to Boston this yr, and averaged 35 factors, 15 rebounds, 12 assists and one steal in two regular-season video games. In 19 postseason video games, all begins, Doncic is averaging 29 factors, 9.7 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 41.4 minutes.
Level guard Kyrie Irving reached double-digit scoring for the ninth consecutive sport in Sunday’s Recreation 2 loss. He completed with 16 factors, six assists and two rebounds in 41 minutes. Boston appears to deliver the perfect out of Irving. In two regular-season video games, he averaged 21 factors and 5 rebounds. In 19 postseason video games, all begins, Irving is averaging 21.9 factors, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 40.1 minutes. See which crew to choose right here.
Why the Celtics can cowl
Heart Kristaps Porzingis as soon as once more made his presence felt in Recreation 2 of the collection on Sunday. In simply 23 minutes of motion, the previous 2015 first-round choose of the New York Knicks, scored 12 factors, grabbed 4 rebounds and added two blocks. He scored 20 factors and added six rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes of play in Recreation 1. Regardless of lacking a lot of the postseason resulting from damage, Porzingis is averaging 13.5 factors, 5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 assists in 24.8 minutes of labor.
Small ahead Jayson Tatum continues to set the tempo on offense for the Celtics. In Recreation 2, he registered his fourth double-double in a row with 18 factors, 12 assists and 9 rebounds. He had 16 factors, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and one block in Recreation 1. Dallas appears to deliver out the perfect in Tatum. In two regular-season video games this yr, he averaged 35.5 factors, 9.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals and one block. In 16 postseason video games, all begins, he’s averaging 24.9 factors, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and one steal in 40.9 minutes. See which crew to choose right here.
Find out how to make Celtics vs. Mavericks picks
Marshall is leaning Beneath on the purpose complete. He has additionally recognized a important X-factor that makes one aspect of the unfold a must-back. You possibly can solely see his NBA picks and evaluation at SportsLine.
So who wins Mavericks vs. Celtics in Recreation 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals, and which aspect of the unfold is a must-back? Go to SportsLine now to see which aspect of the Celtics vs. Mavericks unfold to leap on, all from the professional who has returned practically $3,700 on his NBA picks this season, and discover out.