Kristaps Porzingis returned to Boston’s lineup on Thursday night to help key a massive 107-89 Game 1 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the 2024 NBA Finals. Porzingis should be in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Game 2. Will Luke Doncic and the Mavs make the necessary adjustments to contend? Or will the Celtics again dominate their competition? Check out 2024 NBA Finals odds, analysis, and a free pick for Game 2 between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Finals Game 2 Info

Soaring into a Game 1 win pic.twitter.com/4tdieeYBE3

— NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2024

• When: Thursday, June 6th, 2024, 8:30 PM ET
• Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• TV: ABC
• Radio: KESN-FM 103.3 (Mavericks) // 98.5 The Sports Hub (Celtics)
• Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Odds: Mavericks (+7) // Celtics (-7)

Why bet on the Dallas Mavericks?

The Mavericks had no idea that Porzingis was healthy enough to play. Once Porzingis came off the bench, Luka, Kyrie, and the rest struggled to change the strategy.

Head coach Jason Kidd was caught off guard, for sure. The Mavericks did their best, but changing strategies in the middle of a game is tough and Kyrie wasn’t his best, going 0-for-5 from three.

On Sunday night, Irving will be much better. If he plays his usual game, the Mavericks should have a chance to win this straight up.

Why bet on the Boston Celtics?

Jayson Tatum had just 16 points, Jaylen Brown scored just 22, and the C’s still almost beat the Mavericks by 20. When your two-star players each score less than 30, and you can dominate a team, it says you’re deeper than that squad.

Kristaps Porzingis dropped 20 while Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Derrick White all scored in double figures. The Celtics shared the ball. Dallas is going to struggle to stop all of Boston’s scorers in Game 2.

Mavericks vs. Celtics Betting Trends

• Dallas is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games.
• Mavericks are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games.
• The total went over in 5 of Dallas’ last 7 games.
• Boston is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.
• Celtics are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games.
• The total went over in 5 of Boston’s last 7 games.

Mavericks vs. Celtics 2024 NBA Playoffs Game 2 Prediction

Porzingis didn’t start. Instead, Boston started Al Horford and then brought Kristaps off the bench. The strategy worked because Dallas had no idea that Porzingis was going to even play.

On Sunday, the strategy won’t work to Boston’s advantage. Knowing the Porzingis is healthy enough to step onto the court, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd will have a different plan than the one he employed in the first game.

The Mavericks found a way to handle both of Minnesota’s centers, Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns, in the Western Conference Finals. Expect Kidd to have the perfect strategy to not only contain Tatum and Brown, which the Mavs did in Game 1, but also Porzingis.

Luka, Kyrie Irving, and the rest of the Mavericks are a solid club. They beat some seriously talented teams to make it to the NBA Finals. Don’t expect the first game to dictate the series. The Mavericks bounce back with a huge Game 2 wins.

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READ MORE: Celtics vs. Mavericks 2024 NBA Finals Game 3 Odds & Preview