Celtics Aim to Sweep Mavericks in Game 4

Your Celtics vs Mavs preview is here and we are going to dive into this Finals matchup so far and see if we can find some good free NBA picks to make.

The odds for Game 4 of the NBA Finals are in, and Dallas opened as a very slight favorite at -1. But the moneyline odds have tightened where it’s a pick’em at -110 on each side. The total is set at 211.5.

The Celtics have controlled this series from the start and did not let Dallas get back in Game 3. Dallas came out to an early double-digit lead in the first quarter of Game 3, but the Celtics responded and ended up finishing the first quarter only down one.

The second was even, with both teams scoring 20 points, but the game opened up in the third quarter. Boston outscored the Mavericks 35-19 in the third with a three-point barrage. Although Dallas seemed down and out, they fought back in the fourth and got the game within three.

Unfortunately, Doncic fouled out late in the fourth on a crucial blocking foul call, and the Mavericks were unable to complete their comeback.

Game 3 was the first time this series that stars Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum played up to expectations. Kyrie exploded for the Mavericks, scoring 35 points and making his first three-pointers of the series, going 4-of-6 from deep.

Tatum, who was unable to crack the 20-point mark in the first two games of the series, scored 31 points in the game, albeit on inefficient shooting (he was 4-of-13 from three).

Jaylen Brown continued his excellent play, scoring 30 points and tying his playoff high with eight assists and adding eight rebounds.

Continue on for more of our Game 4 Celtics vs Mavs Preview.

Dallas Can’t Get Over the Hump

In the last two games of this series, there have been sparks of hope for Dallas. They’ve gotten both games within a single possession, but have been unable to overcome the stifling defense of the Boston Celtics.

In Game 1 Dallas could not get offensive production from anyone outside of Doncic and was held to a rough 25.9% shooting from three-point range. Doncic had 30 points and 10 rebounds in the game, the next-highest Dallas scorer was PJ Washington who had 14 points.

Game 2 was a similar story, with Luka Doncic playing out-of-this-world offense but getting little help from his supporting cast. Doncic had a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, but the next-highest scorer for Dallas had just 17.

Doncic finally got some help from Kyrie in Game 3, but his defensive shortcomings were the biggest takeaway from the game. Throughout the series, Doncic has been a turnstile on defense during many possessions.

Although understandable because he has been carrying such a heavy burden offensively, as a superstar his game is going to get nitpicked, and his constant complaints to the referees and inability to play a full game of decent defense kept Dallas without a win in this series.

Luka fouled out of Game 3 during crucial minutes of the fourth quarter, and when asked coach Jason Kidd had this to say: “He’s definitely got a bullseye on his chest, he’s gotta be able to guard and understand that we’re there to protect him and help him if he does get beat. … They are putting him in every pick-and-roll and iso [plays].”.

Brian Windhorst goes OFF on Luka Doncic 😳

(🎥 @BoltGangBaby ) pic.twitter.com/Tp7nY2R3Vo

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 13, 2024

Boston Just Too Good

The reality of this series is that Boston is just much better than Dallas. With depth that goes beyond their top six players, they have one of the league’s best defenses and offensive weapons at every position.

In Game 1 the Celtics had an incredible game from Kristaps Porzingis, in Game 2 it was Jrue Holiday who stepped up offensively, and in Game 3 they finally got the scoring game they’ve been expecting from Jayson Tatum.

Dallas simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to overcome all of the Celtics defensive weapons and they don’t have the defensive stars to thwart the Celtics offense.

CELTICS ARE ONE WIN AWAY FROM AN NBA TITLE ☘️

Tatum: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST
Brown: 30 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST pic.twitter.com/VYGVIfjplZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2024

This Series is Over

• The odds for Game 4 are the Mavericks -1. The moneyline is -110 on each side.
• The series odds have Boston as huge favorites to close things out at -8000, and Dallas’s odds are long to make a comeback at +2000.
• After being second in odds before Game 3, Jaylen Brown has climbed into first for most likely to win Finals MVP with -340 odds to win the award.
• Tatum is +270 to win although he would need to outplay Brown in the final game or games of this series to have a better resume than Brown.
• The odds for the Celtics to sweep are -105, so take the Celtic’s money line at pick’em odds in Friday’s game. We also like Brown to win Finals MVP, and -340 odds are not bad.

Each game in this series has gone under, and although oddsmakers have dropped the total to 211.5, we like the chances at another under. Dallas is running out of gas, and the Celtics defense is simply too good.

Now take this Game 4 Celtics vs Mavs preview and go make some bets on the Celtics odds tonight.

For NBA betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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