13 years after Jason Kidd won the NBA title as a player with the Dallas Mavericks, he’s brought the team back to the Finals, only this time as a coach.
Most analysts picked the Timberwolves to cruise past the Mavs in the Western Conference finals. However a dominant series from the team’s electric backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had Dallas in the driver’s seat from the onset.
On the Eastern side of the bracket, few will argue that Boston hasn’t looked every bit the part of NBA favourites to win it all. The “safe” pick amongst most betting circles to make the finals, the Celtics won through grit, team play, and a fair bit of injury luck in terms of their opponents losing star player after star player throughout the postseason.
But in spite of the vastly different circumstances in which they arrived at this point, Dallas and Boston are set to square off for the 2023-24 NBA title as the series prepares to kick off on Thursday June 6th.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into the matchup:
NBA Finals Odds:
- Dallas Mavericks to Win: +184
- Boston Celtics to Win: -220
Series Length Odds:
- Dallas Mavericks in 4 Games: +2200
- Boston Celtics in 4 Games: +650
- Dallas Mavericks in 5 Games: +1100
- Boston Celtics in 5 Games: +310
- Dallas Mavericks in 6 Games: +550
- Boston Celtics in 6 Games: +470
- Dallas Mavericks in 7 Games: +800
- Boston Celtics in 7 Games: +410
NBA Finals MVP Odds:
- Jayson Tatum -135
- Luka Doncic +270
- Jaylen Brown +600
- Kyrie Irving +2800
- Kristaps Porzingis +5000
- Derrick White +6500
- Jrue Holiday +10000
Injuries to Watch:
Dallas forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper was ruled out for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against Minnesota with an ankle injury. However, initial reports have him slated to be re-evaluated on June 1st, meaning he could return in time for the Finals.
Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II were bock listed as questionable heading into Game 5, before both ultimately suited up. Whether this was a bit of gamesmanship on the Mavs side of things, or they were truly last second calls is up for debate. However the week off before Game 1 tips off will do both of their bodies some good after some fairly physical series en route to emerging from the West.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Kristaps Porzingis ahead of June 6th, as the Celtics big man continues to rehab from a calf injury. Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla said that he’s “ramping up the intensity level” recently, but is still far from a sure thing to be in the lineup for Game 1.
2024 NBA Finals schedule
- Game 1: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Thursday, June 6 (8:30 ET)
- Game 2: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 9 (8 ET)
- Game 3: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12 (8:30 ET)
- Game 4: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Friday, June 14 (8:30 ET)
- Game 5: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Monday, June 17 (8:30 ET)*
- Game 6: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Thursday, June 20 (8:30 ET)*
- Game 7: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 23 (8 ET)*
* = if necessary
Photo: Boston Celtics. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.