The 2024 NBA Finals continue on Tuesday and the Dallas Mavericks will be out to prove they can make it a series in Game 2 against the favored Boston Celtics. Boston rolled to a 107-89 victory in Game 1 after jumping out to a 37-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Celtics covered the 6.5-point spread with room to spare in that one. Dallas, however, has been in this spot before after losing series openers against the Clippers and Thunder before bouncing back and winning Game 2.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics are 6.5-point favorites in the latest Mavericks vs. Celtics odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5. Before making any Celtics vs. Mavericks picks for Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals, be sure to check out what legendary handicapper Bruce Marshall has to say.
Marshall, who for years was synonymous with the Gold Sheet, a famed sports betting newsletter, is an in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country. Marshall's vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets.
He has won various handicapping titles and also has emerged as a top analyst for SportsLine. Marshall has crushed his NBA picks this season for SportsLine members, entering this matchup on a 196-145 run that has returned nearly $3,700 for $100 players. Anyone following him already has seen massive returns.
Now, he has set his sights on Mavericks vs. Celtics and locked in his picks and NBA Finals predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are severalNBA oddsand betting lines for Celtics vs. Mavericks:
- Mavericks vs. Celtics spread: Boston -6.5
- Mavericks vs. Celtics over/under: 214.5 points
- Mavericks vs. Celtics money line: Dallas +217, Boston -269
- DAL: The Mavericks have hit the money line in 32 of their last 50 away games (+16.35 units)
- BOS: The Celtics have hit the first-half money line in 37 of their last 44 games (+28.40 units)
- Mavericks vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Center Kristaps Porzingis returned for Game 1 of the series and was a dominant force against his former team. He finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks in just 21 minutes of action. He scored 24 points against the Mavericks in his lone appearance against them during the regular season. In five postseason games, including four starts, he is averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.4 assists and one steal in 25.2 minutes.
Small forward Jayson Tatum is Boston's main weapon on offense. He is coming off his third consecutive double-double, finishing Game 1 with 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one block. He has dominated Dallas in the past and in two regular season games this year, averaged 35.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals and one block. In 15 playoff starts, he is averaging 25.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and one steal in 40.6 minutes.See which team to pick here.
Why the Mavericks can cover
Luka Doncic has been a force in the playoffs, averaging 28.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game. Kyrie Irving has been an efficient No. 2 scorer, shooting 47.5% from the field in the postseason with a 40.2% mark from 3-point territory. Midseason trade acquisition P.J. Washington (13.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg) has been solid in the playoffs as well.
Several betting trends are working in favor of Dallas in this matchup. The Mavs were 34-17 against the spread on the road this season and 7-3 ATS on the road in the 2024 NBA playoffs. They've won and covered in all three Game 2s in the postseason as well, so Dallas is well-positioned to bounce back and at least stay within this number.See which team to pick here.
How to make Celtics vs. Mavericks picks
Marshall is leaning Over on the point total. He has also identified a critical X-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
So who wins Mavericks vs. Celtics in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals, and which side of the spread is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Mavericks spread to jump on, all from the expert who has returned nearly $3,700 on his NBA picks this season, and find out.
