NBA Finals Game 2: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics best prop bet picks and predictions
The Boston Celtics battle the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals Sunday. Tip from TD Garden is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we break down FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA Finals Game 2 prop bet odds and lines, and tab the 5 best Mavericks vs. Celtics prop bets to make among SportsbookWire's expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics, who were 37-4 in the regular season at home, demolished the Mavericks in Game 1, winning 107-89 and covering as 6.5-point favorites with ease Thursday. Boston jumped out to a 17-point lead in the 1st quarter and never lost it. The Celtics were led by G Jaylen Brown, who 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Boston beat the Miami Heat in 5 games in the 1st round and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 in the second round before sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Finals.
G Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 30 points in Game 1. He shot 12-of-26 from the field and hauled down a team-high 10 rebounds. Dallas did have a second-half surge, outscoring Boston 47-44 in the last 2 quarters. Dallas beat the L.A. Clippers in 6 to open the postseason, followed by a 6-game series win vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 5-game Western Finals victory vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Game 2: Best Mavericks at Celtics prop bet picks
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:14 a.m. ET.
Celtics G Derrick White OVER 14.5 points (-113)
White has been among the most productive Celtics this postseason. He has tallied at least 15 points in 5 of the team's last 6 games, and more to the point, he's getting shots up, especially 3's.
White has attempted 8 or more 3's in 6 straight games and has taken double-digit shots in 6 straight games as well. White is averaging 17.6 points per game during the playoffs and should continue his scoring trend.
BET OVER 14.5 POINTS (-113).
Mavericks C Dereck Lively II OVER 6.5 rebounds (-102)
Lively should see an uptick in minutes. He averaged more than 20 minutes per game against the Thunder and would've topped over 20 minutes per game if it weren't for an injury against the T-wolves. The opportunity is there for the rookie.
Lively has notched at least 7 rebounds in 5 of his last 7 games. He averaged 6.9 rebounds per game during the regular season. Given his ability to defend from 3 better than C Daniel Gafford, expect his minutes to increase, as will his rebounding.
BACK OVER 6.5 REBOUNDS (-102).
Mavericks G Kyrie Irving UNDER 4.5 assists (-122)
The Mavs are starting to have their backs against the wall, and Irving, who has been on this stage before, needs to take over. That means scoring, not passing. He has gone Under this total in 3 of his last 4 games and has gone Under in 6 of his last 8 as well.
Irving needs to be the star the Mavericks need, and having put up 20 or more shots in 4 of his last 7 games, he may shoot instead of pass frequently.
BET UNDER 4.5 ASSISTS (-122).
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Celtics F Jayson Tatum OVER 41.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120)
Tatum has been on fire in the playoffs, and he has gone Over this total in 4 of his last 6 games. The All-Star forward has recorded a double-double in 7 of his last 8 games which significantly helps this total. He has also scored 30 or more points in 4 of his last 8 playoffs games.
Tatum has topped 42 minutes per game in 7 straight contests and should have all the opportunity to be involved in Sunday's Game 2 battle.
TAKE OVER 41.5 POINTS + REBOUNDS + ASSISTS (-120).
1st-half winner: MAVERICKS (+172)
The Mavericks and Celtics should play a closer game. Dallas started to figure things out in the 2nd half of Game 1. Boston put up 37 1st-quarter points and then didn't score more than 26 in any of the 3 following quarters.
The Mavericks have the stars to bounce back and had a +9.7 net rating in their 1st-round series against the Timberwolves. Expect a better first half and BET MAVERICKS (+172) to win the 1st half.
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