2024 NBA Finals odds: Experts' predictions, picks for Celtics-Mavericks

The NBA Finals are finally here, and bettors are enthusiastic about diving into wagers for the huge matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics — led by Eastern Conference MVP Jaylen Brown and All-Star Jayson Tatum — are currently -220 favorites to win the championship. 

After notching the best regular-season record, Boston defeated the Heat, Cavaliers and Pacers in the Eastern Conference playoffs en route to its second Finals appearance since 2022. 

Dallas, on the other hand, hasn't had a trip to the last dance since it won it all at the conclusion of the 2010-2011 season. Ironically, now-head coach Jason Kidd was the point guard for those championship Mavs. 

Currently led by Western Conference Finals MVP Luka Doncic, Dallas's odds to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy are currently +184. The Mavericks defeated the Clippers, Thunder and Timberwolves to punch their ticket to the Finals.

Now that the championship series is upon us, bettors are focused on the best ways to wager on the matchup.

Our experts — Sam "Sammy P" Panayotovich, Geoff Schwartz, Jason McIntyre and Will Hill — are here to help.

Let's dive into their picks.

SAMMY P

Celtics to win NBA Finals

This price is as high as -230 in Las Vegas and DraftKings is currently dealing the floor at -210. Please get the best number. I'm far from the biggest C's fan, but the Green Teamers would've been -400 or higher against Dallas before the postseason started. This is just too cheap, and you get the deeper and more complete team. I even thought about firing Jayson Tatum to win Finals MVP at -110 but decided not to overthink it. 

PICK: Celtics (-210) to win NBA Finals

JASON MCINTYRE

Kristaps Porzingis shoots five 3-pointers a game. Al