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Mavericks vs Celtics Game 2 Prediction & Player Prop Picks: Will Tatum Shine to Take Boston to Dallas Up 2-0?
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Following a dominant NBA Finals Game 1 win over the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics are three wins away from their first championship since 2008. Tonight, they can trim that number to two with a Game 2 victory at TD Garden (8:00 pm ET, ABC).
In Thursday’s opener in Boston, things were close early. But the Celtics finished the first quarter on a 23-5 run, turning a one-point deficit into a 17-point lead. That set the Eastern Conference champions on their way to a 107-89 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Celtics followed up a resounding Game 1 win with a dud of a Game 2 performance, but they got things right in the Eastern Conference finals, where they went up 2-0 at home before breaking out the brooms against the Indiana Pacers.
Which version of the Celtics will we see in Game 2 against the Mavericks? Dallas is in need of a stirring response after struggling Thursday, but they will have to do with Luka Doncic not at 100 percent due to a variety of injuries, including a chest contusion.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Odds
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Spread
- Dallas Mavericks +7 (-110)
- Boston Celtics -7 (-110)
Over/Under
- Over 215 (-105)
- Under 215 (-115)
Moneyline
- Dallas Mavericks +222
- Boston Celtics -262
Get free and reliable moneyline, spread, and over/under consensus picks for every NBA matchup, including this one, from our NBA picks page.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Prediction
Celtics to win and cover
With the Celtics, there is always the concern that they will decide that prospering isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be and they would rather do things the hard way.
Occasionally, they can ride the wave in one game, as was the case in Game 1. In the third quarter, they led by 24, then 8, then 22. That is the best and worst of the Boston Celtics Experience inside a 12-minute nutshell.
But it seems that, at least to some level, something clicked for the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals. That doesn’t really mean much for their matchup with the Mavericks, because the previous quarter doesn’t even mean much when it comes to the Boston Celtics Experience. But for the sake of evaluating the Celtics like anyone else, there’s a lot of reason to feel good about Boston’s ability to follow up their Game 1 performance with another convincing win over the Mavericks. They are the better team, and while some things are up for debate, that isn’t one of them, whether Doncic is 50, 75, or 100 percent.
Best Player Prop Bets for Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Game 2
Jayson Tatum (Celtics) over 27.5 points (-106 at BetOnline) & over 42.5 points + rebounds + assists (+105 at Bovada)
In Game 1, Tatum had as many turnovers (six) as made field goals and scored only 16 points (6 of 16 FG, 3 of 7 3PT, 1 of 2 FT) in 42 minutes. It was just the 13th time in 89 games this season that Tatum fell short of the 20-point mark. Fortunately, his scoring wasn’t needed with the Celtics in control most of the way.
Look for him to bounce back in a big way in that department while also delivering in other areas, which he did in Game 1 to the tune of 11 rebounds and five assists.
Other NBA Finals Betting Information
Where to Bet on Mavericks vs Celtics
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There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. In addition to BetOnline, here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:
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