The Dallas Mavericks face the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, trailing in the best-of-7 series 1-0. Tip-off at TD Garden in Boston is 8 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 2 odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics won the series opener on Thursday 107-89. They jumped out to a 17-point 1st-quarter lead and easily covered the 6.5-point spread as home favorites with the Under (216) cashing in. Boston has only lost twice in the postseason.
The Mavericks had only G Luka Doncic score more than 14 points in the game, as he scored 30. G Kyrie Irving shot only 6-for-19 and was 0-for-5 from 3, scoring only 12 points.
Mavericks at Celtics odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mavericks +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Celtics -255 (bet $255 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +6.5 (-114) | Celtics -6.5 (-106)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Celtics key injuries
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) probable
Celtics
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Mavericks at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 116, Mavericks 107
Moneyline
The Celtics have won 8 straight games in the postseason and F Kristaps Porzingis has returned to the lineup, getting 20 points, 6 boards and 3 blocks in his 1st game since the 1st round of the playoffs.
The Mavs, though, have not lost consecutive games in this postseason, losing Game 1 in their first 2 series and bouncing back with a Game 2 win. However, the Celtics have beaten the Mavs 5 straight times.
Expect the Celtics to take Game 2, but that doesn’t mean you should bet them on the moneyline at -255. That isn’t worth action as a single bet.
PASS.
Against the spread
The Celtics’ last 5 wins over the Mavs are by an average of 19.4 points. However, they are only 3-5 ATS in their 8-game postseason winning streak. Also, Boston is 4-1 ATS with Porzingis in the lineup.
The Mavs have not covered the spread in a loss in the playoffs.
BET CELTICS -6.5 (-106).
Over/Under
The Celtics’ last 2 games have stayed Under the projected total, but they have not had more than 2 consecutive games with the Under hitting since March when it hit 3 times in a row.
Both regular-season matchups had totals of 229 points or more. Also, 5 of the last 7 games for the Mavs have had the Over hit.
BET OVER 214.5 (-110).
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Jess Root on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.