Just when you thought the series was over, the Dallas Mavericks reel everyone back in.
The Mavericks added a 122-84 blowout win against the Celtics in Game 4 to push the series back to Boston for Game 5. The Celtics are still up 3-1 in the series and would have two more home games of the final three, if necessary.
They’re still heavy favorites to win the NBA Championship and are expected to win Game 5. After all, no team has ever blown a 3-0 lead in the NBA Playoffs.
That said, here’s a look at our preview for Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.
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2024 NBA Finals Picks: Mavericks vs. Celtics (Game 5)
Series Winner
After their Game 4 loss to the Mavericks, the Celtics went from -3500 to -1800. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are now +1000 to win the series after their win.
Ultimately, as I pointed out earlier, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. With two more potential road games for Dallas, it’s hard to imagine it’ll happen this year.
NBA Finals MVP
Although Jayson Tatum scored 15 points and Jaylen Brown added just 10 points, I still think Brown would win the MVP if the Celtics win Game 5.
Brown has averaged nearly 21 points per game and has shot over 49% from the field. He’s also contributed nearly five rebounds and five assists per game. In addition, Brown has a 30-point game on the road, which should help his case. Brown is now discounted to -235 after the Boston loss. But it’s not like Tatum did anything to leap over Brown heading into Game 5, either.
Bet: Jaylen Brown (-235)
On the other hand, if you still think Dallas will win the NBA Finals, consider backing Luka Doncic to win Finals MVP. The Mavericks are +1000 to win the series, but Doncic is +1100 to win MVP.
To be fair, Game 4 wasn’t his best performance of the Finals. He shot just 12-for-26 from the field and couldn’t hit one three on eight attempts. However, he led the team in scoring, which has been a common theme throughout the playoffs and NBA Finals.
Bet: Luka Doncic (+1100)
Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 5 Best Bet
Many, including myself, expected the Mavericks to be emotionally drained heading into Game 4. Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3, and rumors came out that the Mavericks were unhappy with Doncic’s antics.
It felt like the Mavericks were just completely finished.
However, it was the exact opposite. The Mavericks came out in Game 4 with nothing to lose. Dereck Lively II became an x-factor on the glass and earned himself a double-double, and maybe Tim Hardaway Jr. has some confidence heading into Game 5 after scoring 15 points in 12 minutes late in the game.
That said, Daniel Gafford finished with seven points. Derrick Jones Jr. added only five points, and P.J. Washington contributed six points. In addition, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic combined to shoot 1-for-14 from downtown. As long as the Mavericks send out this starting lineup in Game 5, the Celtics should be just fine at home.
Bet: Celtics -6.5 (-114)
