NBA Finals Game 1 Picks 2024 - 6th of June

The wait for the 2024 NBA Finals is finally over. The Dallas Mavericks have had six days of rest after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference Finals, while the Boston Celtics have had nine days of rest after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 between the Mavericks and Celtics tips off at 8:30 PM ET on ABC at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

To prepare for this highly anticipated, superstar-driven NBA Finals, raise the stakes with our Game 1 predictions and best bets on the spread, total and our favorite player prop.

Predictions

● Dallas Mavericks +6.5 (-110)

● Over 214.5 Total Points (-110)

● Jaylen Brown Over 22.5 Points (-115)

Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 1 Best Bet: Mavericks +6.5 (-110)

The Celtics have been the NBA’s most dominant team in 2024, boasting a 76-20 combined record between the regular season and playoffs. The Celtics are even more impressive at TD Garden, posting a 43-6 record and a 3-0 playoff series opener record. With excellent three-point shooting, floor spacing and interchangeable, big-bodied defenders, the Celtics might be the best-equipped team to handle Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Dallas' high-flying supporting cast.

While acknowledging the Celtics’ intimidating resume and the expected return of big man Kristaps Porzingis, our spread pick sides with the Mavericks. The Mavericks are 1-2 in series openers this postseason, but they have faced tough opponents on the road each time: the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Celtics played a Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat, a Cleveland Cavaliers team missing Donovan Mitchell due to injury, and an Indiana Pacers squad that lost Tyrese Haliburton during the

series.

The Mavericks emerged from the tougher conference and playoff road and are familiar with this situation. Led by the freakishly creative and talented backcourt of Doncic and Irving, two of the best closers in the NBA, the Mavericks should represent the West well, keeping Game 1 within six points. Take Dallas +6.5 (-110).

Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 1 Best Bet: Over 214.5 Total Points (-110)

Making a pick on the game total in the first game of a series is never easy, but we are siding with Over 214.5 Points (-110) in Game 1. Both squads ranked within the top three in three-point makes and attempts this season, and both finished in the top seven in points per game. Additionally, both teams have been involved in overs hitting in more than 70% of recent playoff outings. While the Celtics have the personnel to bother Doncic and Irving, we won’t bet on their slowed production until we see it. Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 1 Best Bet: Jaylen Brown Over 22.5 Points (-115) The player prop that stands out the most heading into Game 1 is Jaylen Brown’s point total. For all the talk about the odds-on favorite to win NBA Finals MVP, first-team All-NBA selection Jayson Tatum, his co-star Jaylen Brown has been lights out in these playoffs. After averaging 23 PPG in the regular season, Brown has averaged 25 PPG in 14 playoff games, including 29.8 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Brown has cleared 22 points in six of his last seven playoff games and will be sorely needed to keep up with Doncic and Irving. Bet on Brown to continue his torrid scoring – Jaylen Brown Over 22.5 Points (-115).