No team in NBA history has rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series and that’s the challenge facing the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in likely their final home game of the season as they face the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and for some reason the Mavs are short favorites.

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks 2024 NBA Finals Game 4 Info

CELTICS TAKE COMMANDING 3-0 LEAD ☘️

1 WIN FROM THE TITLE

GAME 4: FRIDAY, 8:30pm/et, ABC pic.twitter.com/VkTQGDXWuJ

— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024

• When: Friday, June 14th, 2024, 8:30 PM ET
• Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• TV: ABC, ESPN
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (Celtics) // KESN-FM 103.3 (Mavericks)
• Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Odds: Celtics (+1) // Mavericks (-1)

Why bet on the Boston Celtics?

The Boston Celtics are one victory away from their record 18th NBA title and first since 2008 after taking Game 3 in Dallas on Tuesday, 106-99 even though the Mavs jumped out to an early double-digit lead and the building was rocking. And even though the Celtics were without the injured Kristaps Porzingis. But both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were terrific.

Brown had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 41 minutes. He was quiet during the first half and posted only six points, but obviously had 24 in the second. He was also Boston’s most efficient scorer, while finishing two boards and two assists short of a triple-double. And his defensive effort helped Boston keep Dallas under 100 points for the third game in a row.

Tatum had 31 points, six rebounds and five assists in 42 minutes, although his shooting struggles continued at 11-for-26 and is shooting a poor 35.9 from the field during the Finals. With Porzingis out, and he’s most likely out for the rest of the series with a “rare” leg injury, Tatum and Brown had to carry more of a load.

They became just the second Celtics tandem to score at least 30 points in the same game, joining John Havlicek (40 points) and Bailey Howell (30 points), who accomplished the feat in the 1968 championship-clinching game over the Los Angeles Lakers. They also became the sixth duo in Finals history to record at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists apiece, joining Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (2023 Finals), Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (twice in the 2017 Finals), Orlando’s Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal (1995 Finals), Los Angeles’ Elgin Baylor and Jerry West (1968 Finals), and Philadelphia’s Hal Greer and Wali Jones (1967 Finals).

Sam Hauser also helped fill some minutes off the bench with nine points and three rebounds in 14 minutes. Seldom-used Xavier Tillman also got some minutes with no Porzingis and had three points, four rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes.

The Celtics saw a 21-point fourth-quarter lead dwindle to one thanks to a 21-2 rally by Dallas. But Boston never allowed the Mavs to get over the hump, closing out on a 13-7 run. The third quarter became the tipping point in this game. That’s when the Celtics — they trailed, 22-9, midway through the first quarter and, 51-50, at the half — outscored the Mavs, 35-19, and carried an 85-70 lead into the fourth quarter.

Why bet on the Dallas Mavericks?

The Mavs were repeatedly attacking the basket and scoring when there was no one there to protect the rim as they mounted a 22-9 lead with 5:48 left in the first quarter. But then they went cold.

“We just missed some layups that we haven’t missed here in the playoffs,” Coach Jason Kidd said. “Give them credit. They make it tough. They will wear on you as the game goes on. We got off to a good start, but I didn’t see where they affected us in the sense of we missed some layups. That’s just the game of basketball. It happens.”

Dallas star Luka Doncic was good but not great and often played too much isolation. He finished 11-for-27 from the field for 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 38 minutes as Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. He shot 1-of-7 from three and was visibly frustrated with the officiating throughout.

Boston has the ability to put more pressure on Doncic than virtually any other team in the league by having either Brown or Jrue Holiday attack him for 94 feet defensively while any of Boston’s perimeter players go at him on the other end. As the series has gone on, it has appeared to take a toll on Doncic’s energy levels.

Kyrie Irving shot 13-of-28 from the field and finished with 35 points, three rebounds, two assists, and four 3-pointers in 45 minutes. Having struggled in the first two games of the Finals, Irving apologized to Doncic between Games 2 and 3. Irving was much better, especially in the first half, shooting 8-of-14 from the field and scoring 20 points. However, like many of his teammates, things took a downward turn during the third quarter. Irving has now lost his last 14 games against the Celtics, regular season and playoffs dating to 2021.

We think the Mavericks are too good to get swept and that Boston might have a bit of a letdown – plus, you know the Celtics players would prefer to clinch the title at home.

Celtics vs. Mavericks Betting Trends

• Boston is 6-0-1 ATS in the last 7 games against Dallas.
• Celtics are 10-0 SU in its last 10 games.
• The total went under in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games.
• Dallas is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games at home.
• Mavericks are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
• The total went under in 4 of Dallas’ last 5 games.

Celtics vs. Mavericks 2024 NBA Playoffs Game 4 Prediction

It could be the final breath for the Mavericks. With home field advantage and the entire season on the line, we might see something special. It’s a close call, but we’re going with Dallas to win Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals.

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