Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA match.
Boston Celtics
There’s no doubt that the Celtics deserve an easier part of the knockout stage which has let them reach the final. There’s a reverse side, though. There have been just a few games when Cletics have had to play in full strength.
Who has made them do it? The Heat without Butler? The Cavaliers without Mitchell? The Pacers without Haliburton? The Celtics haven’t faced a real rival for a long time. If the Mavericks give them hell, the Celtics may fail.
Dallas Mavericks
There are two advantages the Mavericks have. These are their coach and Luka Dončić. Jason Kidd has improved his skills. He’s built a good defensive line for a team that barely knew about it at the beginning of the season. The Mavericks have never lost two consecutive games in these play-offs. Kidd has always managed to find a key to beat a rival. Dončić means a lot. This is the best player of the play-offs, who plays 42 minutes per game. It helps a lot. He’s ready for the glory with 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists.
Celtics vs Mavericks prediction
Many tend to doubt that Mavericks can succeed. If it happens, the Mavericks will be the third team with the highest odds prior to the finals that manage to win after the Raptors in 2019 and the Pistons in 2004.
In fact, a home game means almost nothing in these play-offs. A home team has covered the EVs in 48% of the games (40 out of 83). Handicap +6.5 seems to be a good option.
