The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks meet Wednesday for Game 3 of their best-of-7 NBA Finals series, which the Celtics lead 2-0. Tip-off from American Airlines Center is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics picked up a 107-89 win in Game 1 as 6.5-point favorites as the Under (216) cashed, and Boston exorcised its Game 2 demons with a 105-98 win while pushing as a 7-point favorite at most shops. The Under (214) once again connected.
G Jrue Holiday posted a team-high 26 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting in Game 2 while hitting a pair of 3-pointers to go along with 11 rebounds, 3 assists, a blocked shot and a steal in 41 minutes. F Jayson Tatum also had a double-double, finishing with 18 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds.
The Mavericks have lost 3 of the past 4 playoff games while going 1-2-1 against the spread (ATS). The Under is 3-1 in the 4-game span, too. Dallas is averaging just 93.5 points per game (PPG) in the NBA Finals, its worst offensive production in a 2-game span since the final 2 games of the regular season.
- Game 3 best prop bets and predictions
Celtics at Mavericks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Mavericks -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Celtics +2.5 (-110) | Mavericks -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Celtics at Mavericks key injuries
Celtics
- F Kristaps Porzingis (leg) questionable
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (thoracic) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Celtics at Mavericks picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 105, Mavericks 101
Moneyline
The CELTICS (+120) are a solid play in Game 3, as the series shifts to the Metroplex for the next 2 games.
Dallas is just 5-3 straight up on its home court during the postseason, while Boston is a perfect 6-0 away from home in the playoffs. The Celtics are averaging 106.0 PPG in the 2 games in these Finals, while the Mavs have managed just 93.5 PPG.
Look for Boston to continue its solid work on the road, pushing Dallas to the brink of elimination in the process.
Against the spread
Back BOSTON +2.5 (-110) on the road if you would like a little extra insurance and wiggle room. It’s entirely possible Dallas -2.5 (-110) could show some heart, pulling off a win in a close Game.
But again, if you like the Celtics, just play them straight up rather than taking the little bit of points.
Over/Under
UNDER 213.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board in Game 3.
The series shifts to the Metroplex, so perhaps the Dallas offense gets a bump feeding off the energy of its supportive home crowd. But the Mavs have had a devil of a time trying to solve the Celtics defense, and a shift to Texas isn’t likely to change the course of this series. We’ll still get plenty of defense.
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