Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction 6-9-24 Picks

The Dallas Mavericks hope to square up the series against the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the TD Garden on Sunday. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will be hoping to bounce back and tie the series after getting routed by the Celtics in a 107-89 loss in Game 1 on Thursday. Luka Doncic led the team with 30 points and 10 rebounds, PJ Washington added 14 points while Jaden Hardy chipped in with 13 points off the bench. As a team, the Mavericks shot just 41 percent from the field and seven of 27 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Celtics from the start and were always trailing after going behind by 37-20 in the first quarter. The Mavericks trailed in this one by as many as 29 points before they made a late run to cut it to single digits but it was all too little, too late. Kyrie Irving had a forgettable night as he missed all his five 3-point attempts to finish with just 12 points on six of 19 shooting from the field.

Boston Celtics

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics will be brimming with confidence after taking care of Business in a dominant win in the series opener. Jaylen Brownled the team in scoring with 22 points, Kristaps Porzingis played great in his first Game back as he tallied 20 points in just 21 minutes off the bench while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Celtics shot 47 percent from the field and 16 of 42 from the 3-point line as they caught fire from the 3-point line, setting the tone with 37 points in the first quarter before they held off a late charge from the Mavericks. The Celtics dominated the 3-point shooting by 48-21 and they were ferocious on the defensive end to finish with nine blocks as a team.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

• The Celtics have won each of their last 12 games against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Mavericks have lost each of their last eight night games against Celtics teams that held a winning record.
• The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight night games against Celtics teams that held a winning record.
• The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last seven home games against Southwest Division opponents following a win.

Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction

The Mavericks just didn’t come ready to play in Game 1, and they quickly found themselves in deep trouble with the Celtics catching fire from deep in the first quarter. The Mavericks can still take plenty from their loss on Thursday, as they showed plenty of fight to cut it to single digits late. The momentum is clearly with the Celtics, who look even tougher to beat now that Porzingis is back on the court and performing well. It’s going to be tough to bounce back and square up the series after what we saw on Thursday.  I do expect the Mavericks to respond, especially Irving, who couldn’t have played much worse than he did in Game 1. I do have the Celtics winning again, but I think the Mavericks put up a much better fight and get the cover in the end.