The NBA Finals are about to know their two finalists, as the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks are one win away from being champions of their conferences.
The Celtics are 3-0 against the Indiana Pacers with a great performance from their deadly duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In addition, other pieces have been able to placate the absence of the starting center, Kristaps Porzingis.
The Mavericks, who at home have the chance to seal the West versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, are in the same situation. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are at a very high level, making all the gears work.
A fact to consider is that no one has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA Playoffs history.
2024 NBA Conference Finals Update: Indiana Pacers 0-3 Boston Celtics
When and Where?
Monday, May 27, 8:00 pm ET at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Moneyline odds:
Pacers 3.665
Celtics 1.309
Where can I watch it?
The series between the Pacers and the Celtics continues at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana, and the advantage remains with Boston by 3-0. Therefore, winning again will allow them to qualify for their second Finals in the last three years.
The Joe Mazzulla-coached team is coming off an 18-point comeback in Game 3, led by Jayson Tatum’s 36 points, Al Horford’s seven three-pointers, and a stellar closing defense from Jrue Holiday. But Boston considered the best team in the NBA, will also be without Kristaps Porzingis, who has been unavailable since the first round against the Miami Heat.
Porzingis is one of the factors of this set since his presence in the painted area can plug what has been a defensive hole throughout the series. In addition, offensively, he provides many solutions for his inside game and his three-pointer. But again, the responsibility will fall on Horford.
On the part of the Pacers, it could be said that the 3-0 against is a little unfair, especially because the first and third games were at a very high level, but the experience too close took its toll on them. Now they must hope that their most important player, Tyrese Haliburton, can be available, after having problems in his leg in the second game of the series.
If he does not return, they will continue to rely on good scorers like Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, but they suffer greatly in size against Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Holiday.
Pacers vs. Celtics Betting Pick: Celtics
2024 NBA Conference Finals Update: Dallas Mavericks 3-0 Minnesota Timberwolves
When and Where?
Tuesday, May 28, 8:30 pm ET at the American Airlines Center
Moneyline odds:
Mavericks 1.765
Timberwolves 2.459
Where can I watch it?
The Dallas Mavericks are at a peak of performance since, in the last stretch of the NBA season, they found the ideal chemistry and the best version of Kyrie Irving. With Luka Doncic, despite having an injured knee, it is known that his numbers will always be there, but Irving had a pending debt that he is settling. With both the Clippers and Oklahoma, he was decisive, taking over in the fourth quarter.
Irving and Doncic have come up against a huge P.J. Washington, a decisive Derrick Jones, and two power centers like Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, although the latter is doubtful due to a head injury.
For their part, Minnesota is the best defense in the Playoffs, but against Dallas, they have not had the offensive focus. Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Conley are very inconsistent. In Game 3, they came close to taking the win, but in the final minutes, they divorced themselves from the hoop.
And if something was missing, Rudy Gobert, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, is getting shredded by Doncic and Kyrie, so today it seems like the best option is for him to not get as many minutes.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Betting Pick: Mavericks
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