Celtics vs Mavericks: The Panel's Picks & Best Bets For The NBA Finals Game 3
Our Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 3 Picks
- The Panel Pick 1: Boston To Win Outright Wednesday @ +110 With DraftKings
- The Panel Pick 2: Luka Doncic To Score 32 Or Fewer Points @ -110 With FanDuel
- The Panel Pick 3: Dallas/Boston Double Result @ +420 With BetMGM
The NBA Finals saw Boston hold serve on home court as the Celtics dominated long enough stretches to win the first two games at TD Garden.
However, it was the middle quarters and a late surge where the Celtics controlled the proceedings.
Boston took a 2-0 series lead behind an incredible shooting effort by Jrue Holiday who poured in a team-leading 26 points, making 11 of 14 shots on Sunday night.
Dallas had few answers for the Point Guard with the Celtics getting key contributions from unlikely sources.
Meanwhile, Dallas got the usual effort from Luka Doncic, who again led all scorers with 32 points (11 rebounds and 11 assists). However, Doncic turned the ball over eight times.
Dallas did shoot better but turned the ball over 15 times. Kyrie Irving went 7-for-18 from the field this time.
Then, the Mavericks shot 23.1% from three-point range while Boston scored nine more points off turnovers, which turned out to be the difference.
Now, the scene shifts to the American Airlines Center.
Can Dallas give a more complete four-quarter effort on Wednesday night, or will Boston win again on the road in Game 3 in clash that will be televised on ABC starting at 8:30 p.m. ET?
The Panel has mulled over the key stats ahead of Game 3 to come up with these betting predictions from sports betting sites.
Boston Getting Plus Money For Game 3, Take It!
Boston answered every Dallas run on Sunday night, so it was good that the spread returned to 6.5 points for Game 2.
The Celtics went up by as many as 14 points before Luka Doncic led a 9-0 run in the waning moments.
Boston answered with two free throws late to hold the final margin at seven points.
The early Game 3 moneyline has held firm at +110 for Boston with NBA betting experts.
That's because the spread currently hovers around 1.5 to 2 points for the Dallas Mavericks.
If Dallas cannot get Irving going and Jayson Tatum does, then look out! Tatum is shooting just as poorly as Irving, but one figures this may not last.
Simply, Boston have figured out other ways to beat Dallas. Using Tatum as more of a decoy and facilitator is working. On the road, it will be intriguing to see what happens next.
Jason Kidd made solid decisions. Dallas played better in the first quarter and held a three-point lead on Sunday.
However, Boston had these +7 to +9 runs that would change the game whenever the Mavericks got close.
Many believe that the Mavericks need someone to pick up the slack for Doncic, who has been great overall.
However, those turnovers indicate he has been trying to do too much. Great for player props but not for overall results has been the moniker so far.
At this point, bookmakers still want to believe in Dallas, and the public wants a series.
Note how Boston found ways to win in Indiana even when it seemed the Celtics were giving the games away. That has been vital for Boston in this postseason.
The Panel believes Game 3 will be pretty close throughout, but one in which Boston should pull out late. The Celtics know this is the series.
The Panel Pick 1: Boston To Win Outright @ +110 With DraftKings
Play Doncic Props With The Under In Mind
This is a considerable risk, but Doncic has seen his point prop push upward to 32.5 for Game 3 in Dallas.
If the Mavericks are to get back in this series, the thought is they must spread the limited offense around.
Does anyone expect Dallas to score more than 110 points? Exactly!
Dallas need the second part of their dynamic duo to carry more of the load. Fewer turnovers would be helpful.
No Maverick scored more than 17 points. Meanwhile, the Celtics again had two players with 20+ points, and one was not Jayson Tatum.
The triple-double idea (+210 on Caesars) is in play along with the Under on the points (-110 at 32.5 points via BetMGM).
Even the Under of 4.5 turnovers is at -150 for Doncic. A less is more approach is prudent.
Expect the All-Star to get a little help from his friends on Wednesday night.
The Panel Pick 2: Luka Doncic To Score 32 Or Fewer Points @ -110 With FanDuel
Dueling Half Results Like Boston In The End
For a few dollars more, Dallas is progressing here.
They again played better in the first half and late in the game on Sunday but came up short.
Simply, the Mavericks are up against a slightly better Boston team. The Celtics, so far, have played the bigger points and thrived.
While the double outcome is the most dangerous pick in the NBA Finals, arguably, risking a few dollars does not hurt when the return is lucrative.
Dallas should play better at home in Game 3. Look at the last one against Minnesota.
The Mavericks held an eight-point lead at halftime before almost giving the game away in the third quarter.
Boston are not the Timberwolves, however. This team is 6-0 on the road in the postseason.
Could Dallas pull this game out? Yes. The Dallas wire-to-wire is +124 by the way. However, what the Mavericks did to the Timberwolves is now being done to them.
The Panel Pick 3: Dallas/Boston Double Result @ +420 With BetMGM
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