Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals tips off tonight in Boston, with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics looking to take an early 2-0 series lead over Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC, Sling).
Sporting News’ BetMGM live betting blog will focus exclusively on tonight’s championship clash, providing live score updates, betting lines, odds, picks and advice.
MORE FINALS BETTING:
Updated series odds & best bets | Finals MVP best bet
The Celtics have cruised to a 13-2 record this postseason, and they look like clear favorites to win it all after a dominating Game 1 victory. BetMGM now has Boston listed at -450 to win the Finals, an assertion that seems tough to pick apart now that Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is not only back but looking solid.
However, Dallas has gone 3-0 in Game 2s this postseason despite not having home-court advantage in any series. Jason Kidd’s squad should never be counted out, if for no other reason than the fact it has superstar Doncic.
The Sporting News’ betting team is here for the action before, during, and after Game 2, and for every game in the entire series. Those familiar with the SN BetMGM live blogs know how this all works, but here’s the rundown for anyone new to the party:
- We highlight the best bets and top props on the day of the game so you can lock in value well ahead of the opening tip
- We offer live betting advice, provide game and score updates, and relay intriguing betting lines and over/under props throughout the game
- We close out the night detailing our hits and misses, going over the results of the game as well as the Sporting News best bets both pregame and live
Let’s keep the fun rolling and unveil the top BetMGM betting picks for Game 2 of the Celtics-Mavs NBA Finals!
Celtics vs. Mavs: Game 2 score, highlights
Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 2 score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total | |
| Mavs | |||||
| Celtics |
7:50 p.m. ET: Here’s the most bet player props for Game 2, according to our friends from BetMGM:
- PJ Washington over 12.5 points (-115)
- Luka Doncic under 8.5 assists (-165)
- Jayson Tatum over 14.5 total rebounds and assists (-135)
- Kyrie Irving over 22.5 points (-120)
- Jaylen Brown over 3.5 assists (-105)
Washington OVER 12.5 points seems like a good bet, especially if Kyrie Irving is going to continue struggling mightily in enemy territory against his former team. Someone has to get going for Dallas, and in multiple games this postseason that someone has been PJ.
Luka OVER 8.5 assists seems like a better play, especially with the juice going the other way. Doncic had just one assist last time out, the first time in three seasons he has finished a game healthy and having played 20-plus minutes with just one. He’ll be a much bigger part of the Mavs’ playmaking tonight, especially if his chest/ribs limit him from getting all the way to the basket with frequency.
The remaining three bets feel like fades — Tatum double-double at -145 is a better prop than Tatum OVER 14.5 rebounds + assists at -135. Irving is far too volatile at TD Garden — he could be cursed since he stomped on the shamrock logo and burned sage as a Net returning to Boston years ago. And JB is doing so much scoring and playing such good defense, he doesn’t really need to dish out dimes to have a huge impact.
Celtics vs. Mavs Game 2 best bets
These are the highest-value bets of Game 2. New picks and props will be added to this list the closer we get to tipoff. We will also highlight the best wagers and in-game props during the live-betting market throughout Game 2.
Celtics -2.5 (1Q) vs. Mavericks (-105)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This first-quarter spread has been a nice deeper-dive ATS play all postseason, and the Celtics continue to start hot in the majority of their playoff games. They beat the Mavs 37-20 in the first frame of Game 1, and they’re now 6-1-1 in first quarters over their past eight games.
Dallas has arguably exerted much more energy than Boston so far this postseason, and Luka Doncic and company looked gassed after trying multiple times to mount comeback efforts in Game 2. It’s no surprise to anyone that Boston, the more complete and better-rested team, had more energy from start to finish on Thursday.
The Celtics also have a significant advantage at home, where they have gone 44-6 in 50 games since the start of the regular season. And Kristaps Porzingis being healthy and thriving means Boston has an added element of depth, making it a lot harder for Dallas to have its way on the interior, in the lob game, and on the glass.
The Celtics sit atop the NBA in first-quarter scoring (31.5) since the start of the 2023-24 season, while Dallas often struggles at the start of games. Take away the Mavs’ Western Conference Finals-clinching Game 5 win over Minnesota, and Dallas has been outscored 157-126 over its other five games dating back to the start of the conference championships. That’s an average plus/minus scoring margin of -6.2. Bet the Celtics to start hot once again.
Mavs team total: UNDER 105.5 (-130)
These two teams have been the best two defenses in the NBA since the All-Star break. Boston has been superb the whole season, especially with a healthy Porzingis. And Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington were fantastic additions to the Mavs at the deadline, even aiding the continued improvement of Dereck Lively and Derrick Jones Jr.
As a result of both squads playing solid team defense, protecting the rim well, and seldom allowing second-chance opportunities via offensive rebounds, the UNDER has gone 3-1 over their past four meetings. And while we don’t feel as confident in counting out the Celtics’ offense at home in Game 2, be confident their defense won’t let Dallas get to 106 points at TD Garden.
The Celtics have held opponents to 102 points or fewer in 10 of their 15 games this postseason. Act on the UNDER now, because sharp bettors will more than likely drive this number down by Sunday.
Luka Doncic OVER 8.5 assists (+105)
Doncic had just one assist in Game 1, the fewest dimes he has logged in a game in which he played 20-plus minutes since May 7, 2021. That’s a terrible stat for the Mavs, who rely on him not just to score but also to create for others and increase their amount of high-percentage looks.
Expect a bounce-back in Game 2, especially with Jason Kidd most likely making adjustments after Boston blitzed Doncic outside the perimeter time after time in the series opener. If the Celtics send doubles or charge him outside the three-point arc, it stands to reason that Luka will have open shooters.
The assists will come — Doncic put up double-digit dimes in five of his previous eight games before the Finals, and he has bested this 8.5-assist total in 12 of the Mavs’ 18 games during these playoffs. Enjoy the plus odds while they’re still there.
Sam Hauser OVER 3.5 points (+105)
Hauser has been encouraged by Celtics’ stars all postseason long to keep shooting, and it paid off in Game 1 when the 26-year-old sharpshooter knocked down both of his three-point attempts and three of his four total shots from the floor.
This isn’t just a garbage-time reserve we’re talking about here — Mazzulla and the Celts consider Hauser a key part of their rotation. Even though he has struggled at times this postseason, four points with plus odds seems like way too much value to pass up.
