2024 NBA FINALS: #1 Boston Celtics vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (Game 1: Thursday June 6th)

[ajones9219]

Celtics 6.5 point favorites in game 1. That is a huge spread for a finals matchup...Nothing like those Den v Miami ones last year though lol

[durden_tyler]

Here are the current odds. Celtics in 5 by far the most likely per Vegas

Celtics in 5: +280
Celtics in 7: +400
Celtics in 6: +500
Mavericks in 6: +550
Celtics in 4: +650
Mavericks in 7: +850
Mavericks in 5: +1200
Mavericks in 4: +2500

Thanks!

Perhaps we should all move all betting related to a single thread just so only the bettors who want to discuss it can exchange ideas there. LOL

[AussieCeltic]

Where were DJJ and Daniel Gafford in the rotation i those games? Oh playing our good players changes our team?

You people just constantly show you know nothing about basketball.

You do know that games pre-trade deadline do count right? It's Gafford and DJJ...You guys are acting like you traded for Luka mid year.

Such a casual. When Josh Green and THJ are getting double the minutes Gafford and DJJ are that matters.

Once Dallas started starting those 2 they went 19-2. Still think they don’t matter or can cetlics pretend they aren’t the dumbest fan base?

Calling the opponents fan base dumb for using factual evidence is wild.

It may not be the be all end all, but those games were played and won by Boston. Both teams have changed and improved a bit but it’s not nothing.

Luka hasn’t beat Boston his last 4 games
Kyrie hasn’t beat Boston his last 10 games

Once again, doesn’t mean Boston will win easy, but there is something to that. It doesn’t mean everything, but it also doesn’t mean nothing.

[TheBullsDynasty]

1- Even though Dallas has been playing amazing basketball in the playoffs, Celtics have to be the favorites going into game 1. However, a pro tip to both fan bases is to not get too cocky and make bold predictions. We saw what happened to the cocky Wolves fans in the WCFs.

2- Regular season games almost always don't mean **** when it comes to the playoffs. You have back to backs, injuries, whatever. Teams also just play their own basketball instead of focusing on matchups or trying to exploit weaknesses. You can find many examples of one team winning the regular season games and then getting outplayed in the playoffs or teams being evenly matched in the regular season but then getting swept in the playoffs, etc. We literally have someone in this thread saying Boston beat the Mavs 4 times in the last 2 seasons like last season's games have anything to do with the upcoming NBA finals. Playoffs are all about matchups and counters. You can even go down 0-2 in a series and come back to win it.

3- For Boston, the X-Factor has to be KP. If he is back and at full health, then I don't think the Mavs can defend Boston. If he is not at full health and plays like the Dallas KP coming back from injuries, then the Mavs have a real shot here. Heck, I might even call them the favorites in that case. The X-Factor for the Mavs is going to be Kyrie. He has played very poorly against the Celtics in his like last 10-12 games. If he plays like that, the Mavs have no chance. If he plays like how he played against the Wolves, then I'd say Dallas has the 2 best players in the series.

4- Lastly, as good as Dallas has been in the playoffs, the main reason why I'm favoring Boston is Mavs' lack of playoff experience. Lively has been playing amazing but he is a rookie in the end. PJ and Gafford have 0 playoff experience. We've seen many times inexperienced players playing much worse in the finals. These players have done an amazing job up to this point but the Finals is a whole different beast. When you see all the cameras and everyone watching, all eyes on you, the lights tend to shine too bright for the inexperienced guys. Boston has a lot more experience, already been to the finals with this core group of guys 2 years ago and have been playing in the ECFs year after year. That's a massive advantage in my book.

[Mavrelous]

Legler:

Luka best player in the Finals
Mavs win the Finals

Watch on YouTube

Lol. Legler predicted the wolves would win in 6 against the mavs. What he predicts means jack haha.

No he didn't, he said Wolves should be favoured but he picks DAL to win, here he explains it and picks the winner b4 the series started
https://youtu.be/tU9CYqJHKcI?t=3333

[-Luke-]

Before the playoffs I would have said the Celtics were pretty clear favorites in the Finals against all West teams except the Nuggets. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Still think they are the favorite, but not by a big margin.

[ajones9219]

Here are the current odds. Celtics in 5 by far the most likely per Vegas

Celtics in 5: +280
Celtics in 7: +400
Celtics in 6: +500
Mavericks in 6: +550
Celtics in 4: +650
Mavericks in 7: +850
Mavericks in 5: +1200
Mavericks in 4: +2500

Thanks!

Perhaps we should all move all betting related to a single thread just so only the bettors who want to discuss it can exchange ideas there. LOL

It's about as relevant as any analysis given in this thread so far lmao

[Oscar9992]

Dereck Lively's impact on Mavericks

Watch on YouTube

[1993Playoffs]

Man I absolutely hate Boston. Boring team. No True ATG. , 3 point spam. Ugh. Lol

[Triple7]

Legler:

Luka best player in the Finals
Mavs win the Finals

Watch on YouTube

Lol. Legler predicted the wolves would win in 6 against the mavs. What he predicts means jack haha.

No he didn't, he said Wolves should be favoured but he picks DAL to win, here he explains it and picks the winner b4 the series started
https://youtu.be/tU9CYqJHKcI?t=3333

Lol. Did you even listened to the whole thing? He said the wolves are favored to win the title based on beating the defending champs. He literally said the wolves would win it all. He just said that could the mavs beat the wolves, he said yes they can beat the wolves. But he didn’t said he’d take the mavs to beat the wolves. He just said they can beat the wolves. Which is the truth. Big diff lol.

Plus these guys change their picks with every game lol. I don’t care if legler did choose you guys. I’d rather the celtics be underdogs.

[Sweet Serenity]

1- Even though Dallas has been playing amazing basketball in the playoffs, Celtics have to be the favorites going into game 1. However, a pro tip to both fan bases is to not get too cocky and make bold predictions. We saw what happened to the cocky Wolves fans in the WCFs.

2- Regular season games almost always don't mean **** when it comes to the playoffs. You have back to backs, injuries, whatever. Teams also just play their own basketball instead of focusing on matchups or trying to exploit weaknesses. You can find many examples of one team winning the regular season games and then getting outplayed in the playoffs or teams being evenly matched in the regular season but then getting swept in the playoffs, etc. We literally have someone in this thread saying Boston beat the Mavs 4 times in the last 2 seasons like last season's games have anything to do with the upcoming NBA finals. Playoffs are all about matchups and counters. You can even go down 0-2 in a series and come back to win it.

3- For Boston, the X-Factor has to be KP. If he is back and at full health, then I don't think the Mavs can defend Boston. If he is not at full health and plays like the Dallas KP coming back from injuries, then the Mavs have a real shot here. Heck, I might even call them the favorites in that case. The X-Factor for the Mavs is going to be Kyrie. He has played very poorly against the Celtics in his like last 10-12 games. If he plays like that, the Mavs have no chance. If he plays like how he played against the Wolves, then I'd say Dallas has the 2 best players in the series.

4- Lastly, as good as Dallas has been in the playoffs, the main reason why I'm favoring Boston is Mavs' lack of playoff experience. Lively has been playing amazing but he is a rookie in the end. PJ and Gafford have 0 playoff experience. We've seen many times inexperienced players playing much worse in the finals. These players have done an amazing job up to this point but the Finals is a whole different beast. When you see all the cameras and everyone watching, all eyes on you, the lights tend to shine too bright for the inexperienced guys. Boston has a lot more experience, already been to the finals with this core group of guys 2 years ago and have been playing in the ECFs year after year. That's a massive advantage in my book.

You’ve also got to wonder how a whole week to think about it is going to affect them mentally ? I reckon if you ask them they would have rather had a quick turnaround.

[RB34]

People have said the Celtics are trash the entire playoffs, now they’re going to be the favourites? Wild times.

[The Corey's]

Celtics in 5.

This reminds me of 08 when everyone was taking the Lakers over the Celtics even though there wasn't any statistical or logical reason for that choice.

Mavs can't stop all 5 of Tatum, Brown, Jrue, White and KP for an entire 7 game series.

[zonedefense]

Celtics in 5.

This reminds me of 08 when everyone was taking the Lakers over the Celtics even though there wasn't any statistical or logical reason for that choice.

Mavs can't stop all 5 of Tatum, Brown, Jrue, White and KP for an entire 7 game series.

Vegas favors Boston. The poll in this thread has Boston slightly ahead. Where is this everyone is picking Dallas narrative coming from?

[The Corey's]

Celtics in 5.

This reminds me of 08 when everyone was taking the Lakers over the Celtics even though there wasn't any statistical or logical reason for that choice.

Mavs can't stop all 5 of Tatum, Brown, Jrue, White and KP for an entire 7 game series.

Vegas favors Boston. The poll in this thread has Boston slightly ahead. Where is this everyone is picking Dallas narrative coming from?

This thread is like 5 hours long. Come back in 3 days and check the results.

[Exp0sed]

People have said the Celtics are trash the entire playoffs, now they’re going to be the favourites? Wild times.

literally no1 said the Celtics are trash at any point during the season

[FreeBird23]

Hornets should trade Grant Williams. They will ends up in the Finals next season

[durden_tyler]

Here are the current odds. Celtics in 5 by far the most likely per Vegas

Celtics in 5: +280
Celtics in 7: +400
Celtics in 6: +500
Mavericks in 6: +550
Celtics in 4: +650
Mavericks in 7: +850
Mavericks in 5: +1200
Mavericks in 4: +2500

Thanks!

Perhaps we should all move all betting related to a single thread just so only the bettors who want to discuss it can exchange ideas there. LOL

It's about as relevant as any analysis given in this thread so far lmao

Most here frown on betting lines when it's all the clue they need how a series will turn out (most times). LOL

[ajones9219]

Thanks!

Perhaps we should all move all betting related to a single thread just so only the bettors who want to discuss it can exchange ideas there. LOL

It's about as relevant as any analysis given in this thread so far lmao

Most here frown on betting lines when it's all the clue they need how a series will turn out (most times). LOL

I'm here for the smoke so I'mma keep posting it lol

[zonedefense]

Celtics in 5.

This reminds me of 08 when everyone was taking the Lakers over the Celtics even though there wasn't any statistical or logical reason for that choice.

Mavs can't stop all 5 of Tatum, Brown, Jrue, White and KP for an entire 7 game series.

Vegas favors Boston. The poll in this thread has Boston slightly ahead. Where is this everyone is picking Dallas narrative coming from?

This thread is like 5 hours long. Come back in 3 days and check the results.

That would have been the smart thing to do instead of just making up narrative. Trying to create a slight/underdog story.