The Boston Celtics enter game 1 as 6.5 point favorites versus the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics are accustomed to being favored not only during the regular season, but also during the Eastern conference playoffs. We expect a rowdy, loud and passionate Celtics home crowd along with several minutes of F-Kyrie chants from the Boston crowd.
Did you know the Celtics changed their water bottle policy because of Kyrie? Bottle caps on all drinks are removed prior to being handed off to fans as a result of bottle caps being throw at Irving during his previous return to the TD Garden.
Luka and Kyrie will put up a good fight against Boston and lead Dallas in scoring but Tatum, Brown, White, Holiday, Porzingis, Horford and Pritchard will prove to be too much to handle for Dallas. Boston can beat you with 7 guys while Dallas can only counter with two albeit super stars in their own right.
The Mavericks emerged from the Western Conference as the number 5 seed and have been streaking since the trade deadline. Luka and Kyrie have established a great rapport and have established themselves as one of the best duos in the NBA this season.
The bigger questions will be will young Tatum, 26 or will Doncic, 25 lead their team to a game 1 victory and home court advantage for the NBA finals.
We believe the Celtics will not only win game 1 but will cover as 6.5 point favorites against the Dallas Mavericks in game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals. We expect Brown and Tatum to outduel Doncic and Irving and lead the Celtics to victory.