After a long long delay, the NBA finals are about to kick off, and what a series it should be. The long-time favorite, the Celtics, may be fully healthy as Porzingis will be available and their two stars will be trying to prove they can win a title. The Mavericks are hitting on all cylinders at the right time as Kyrie and Luka seem to be working as one. This should prove to be all we want in a title series and there are sure to be many ways to make some money while watching, so let’s get it.

Series Odds

Team	Odds
Celtics	-225
Mavericks	+180

It should be easy to see why the odds are so far apart. I mean the Mavericks were the number 5 seed in the west and the Celtics were the best team in the NBA all season and the East number one seed. But never underestimate a team that has fought and overcome so much to get there. The momentum can take that team right to a title.

The fact is Boston and their two stars need this title to show they can win together and these last few years were not a waste. They have been here before and lost that one to an aging Warriors team they should have beaten. This team has better parts combined with the duo and they are playing a team on paper is just far below them. The Celtics are 31-23-3 ATS as a favorite of 6.5 or more points this season. Not great but adequate. With the return of Porzingis, this high-powered offense will be hard to stop.

The Mavericks are flying on their dynamic duo of Irving and Luka. It seems every game they each get 30 plus with no issues as they play off each other so well. The acquisitions of both versatile forward P.J. Washington and defensive stalwart Daniel Gafford have made their defense just as important as those two stars. They clamped the Timberpups and match up well with Tatum and Brown and are 11-6 against the spread in the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Take the Celtics for the series as Brown and Tatum won’t let them down twice.

GAME ONE PROPS

Game 1/Series Parlay — Boston Celtics (-135)

Since I’m already taking the Celtics for the series and at home they must open up with a big win, this one seems easy.  I see a big game from Tatum that leads to a big win.

Luka Doncic Over 40.5 points + assists

Doncic is averaging nearly a triple-double in the postseason, with averages of 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists.  Going off his numbers and his play this one is another gem that I will put my money on. The Celtics defense has been better than most this postseason but who do they have that can at least contain him? It will be a long series for Holiday and company.  Take this one and run

Here is a look at the schedule:

NBA Finals 2024: Mavericks vs. Celtics Series Schedule

• Game 1: @ TD Garden — Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 2: @ TD Garden — Sunday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 3: @ American Airlines Center — Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 4: @ American Airlines Center — Friday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 5: @ TD Garden — Monday, June 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 6: @ American Airlines Center — Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 7: @ TD Garden — Sunday, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

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