The 2024 NBA Finals begin on Thursday, June 6, when the Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics enter Game 1 of the NBA Finals 2024 having won seven consecutive games, while the Mavericks have won five straight on the road in the NBA playoffs. Tipoff from TD Garden in Boston is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. SportsLine consensus lists Boston as the 6.5-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Mavericks odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 216.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our NBA odds page). 

Before you make any Mavericks vs. Celtics picks, you NEED to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the 2024 NBA Finals on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows Boston forward Jayson Tatum is a three-level scorer with great footwork. Tatum is a reliable shooter with impressive vision as a playmaker. The five-time All-Star leads the team in points (26), rebounds (10.4) and assists (5.9). In his last outing, Tatum dropped 26 points, 13 boards and eight assists.

The model also knows Dallas guard Luka Doncic has been an exceptional shot-creator and passer. Doncic is able to draw contact to get to the free-throw line while using his jumper to space the floor. The 25-year-old ranks first on the team in points (28.8), rebounds (9.6) and assists (8.8). In the closeout Game 5 win over Minnesota, Doncic dropped 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

The model has simulated Mavericks vs. Celtics 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations!

Who wins Mavericks vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from the model on a 94-61 roll on top-rated NBA picks!