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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77), as we offer our best NBA Finals Game 1 player props and expert predictions.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in the second half at TD Garden on March 1, 2024 in Boston. Photo by David Butler II / USA TODAY Sports via Imagn.

The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks face off in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight at 8:30 p.m. ETT, as we offer our best Mavericks vs. Celtics player props based on the best NBA odds.

You couldn't ask for a better NBA Finals showdown than one featuring the league's best team against the best player. We'll get our first taste tonight when the Boston Celtics host Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden, with tipoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Celtics have been favored by the NBA championship odds all postseason long, and they enter tonight as 6.5-point favorites to beat the Mavericks in Game 1. With so much talent at their disposal, it's no wonder why we side with the favorites in our NBA Finals odds & betting preview.

However, don't underestimate Doncic, who has surged in the NBA Finals MVP odds in recent weeks and is the top-ranked player in our NBA Finals MVP predictions. If he goes off in Game 1, that could spell an upset for the Mavericks.

Along with our NBA Finals expert picks and Mavericks vs. Celtics parlay, here are our best Mavericks vs. Celtics player props and NBA picks.

Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 player props

Pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale; odds via our best NBA betting sites.

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Mavericks vs. Celtics prop bet predictions for today

Jayson Tatum Over 15.5 rebounds + assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐

No matter how Game 1 of the NBA Finals goes for Jayson Tatum, there's bound to be a segment on First Take debating whether it's really Jaylen Brown's team or if Tatum lacks the killer instinct of legends like M.J. or Kobe.

Without Tatum, Boston wouldn't be in the Finals or have a 12-2 playoff record. This postseason, the 26-year-old has excelled by allowing others to shine while focusing on dominating the glass. Not only is he Boston's leading scorer, but he also tops the team in rebounds (10.4) and assists per game (5.9).

In 14 playoff games this year, he's recorded at least 16 combined rebounds and assists 10 times. Dallas has allowed opposing power forwards to average 15.36 combined rebounds and assists per game this season.

According to our odds converter, these odds imply a 51.22% win probability, with a $10 bet paying a $9.52 profit.

Best odds: -105 via DraftKings

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Luka Doncic Over 40.5 points + assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him."

Few players embody Dan Patrick's old adage as perfectly as Doncic. Even when struggling with a knee injury earlier in the playoffs, Doncic put up All-Star numbers.

Boston boasts the NBA's third-ranked defense (111.6), but coach Joe Mazzulla knows that Doncic will get his stats. With his revitalized 3-point shooting, smooth mid-range game, and unstoppable lob passes, expect a big Game 1 from the Mavericks star.

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Against the top-ranked Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic averaged a combined 40.6 points and assists, surpassing 40.5 in three of five games. These odds imply a 51.92% probability he hits the Over, with a winning $10 bet paying out $19.26.

See our C Jackson Cowart's Luka Doncic odds and player props for more on the Mavericks star.

Best odds: -108 via FanDuel

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Kyrie Irving Under 31.5 points + rebounds + assists ⭐⭐⭐

Few cities harbor as much animosity for players as Boston, and few players have earned their ire like Kyrie Irving. Not only did he leave after promising to stay and forming a "super team" in Brooklyn, but he also stomped on Lucky the Leprechaun at half-court upon his return, and flipped off the Boston crowd.

The added drama of Kyrie vs. Boston makes these NBA Finals even more thrilling. However, despite his strong performance in the Western Conference Finals, I expect Irving to struggle against the Celtics. Boston limited shooting guards to an average of 31.52 PRA during the season and has Derrick White, arguably the best defensive guard in the league.

I foresee Irving's performance resembling his second-round struggles against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged just 15.7 points. These odds imply a 49.50% win probability, with a $10 bet paying out $20.20.

Best odds: +102 via DraftKings

NBA Finals expert picks

Game 1 predictions

Series predictions picks

Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 odds

Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 info

  • When: Thursday, June 6
  • Tip-off: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: TD Garden (Boston)
  • How to watch: ABC
  • Favorite: Celtics -6.5 (-110 via bet365)

Mavericks-Celtics player props made Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. ET.

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