Who do national experts predict will win the NBA finals between the Mavs and Celtics?
The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics both made short work of their respective conference finals foes to set a star-studded clash for the NBA Finals.
The Mavs have had perhaps the NBA’s best player in Luka Doncic who has been unbelievable in the postseason putting up 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. The Celtics are led by Jason Tatum who led the team in points (26), assists (5.9) and rebounds (10.4) per game throughout the playoffs.
Which teams do national experts predict will win?
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
“I’m getting flashbacks of the 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks, who made it all the way to the NBA Finals as the No. 3 seed and beat the Miami Heat. This Dallas team also has some magic to it, but Boston should still be considered the favorite. The defensive duo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White will be the biggest test yet for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and the expected return of Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is huge. Give me Boston in a thrilling seven-game series.”
Stephen Noh, Sporting News .
The Celtics are going to play five out and bomb away from deep. They have the ability to stretch the floor and create offense from any spot on the floor. Dallas has gotten much better defense from Kyrie Irving and Doncic throughout the playoffs, but it will be tested relentlessly in this series and have nowhere to hide.
Nick Goss, NBC Sports
The Celtics have the best starting five in basketball, an elite offense and elite defense. Boston is capable of beating Dallas without Porzingis, but if the star center does return, the Celtics’ scoring depth and interior defense will be even better.
Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report
Dallas has the two best closers left standing in Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Those two are surrounded with size (thanks in large part to the acquisitions of Gafford and Washington), defensive versatility and talent that knows it’s there to lift the stars.
When these games get tight (and they will) Luka and Kyrie will make just enough more plays than Tatum, Brown and White to win this series in seven.
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com
This is the sixth time in eight years the Celtics have reached at least the conference finals and their second Finals in three years. Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have achieved almost everything short of a ring. Coach Joe Mazzulla’s job status was shaky in 2023 and Horford can’t wait to get off that “most playoff games without a title” list. Urgency alone doesn’t win championships, but urgency + talent + roster depth + experience + continuity + home court should be enough.
Michael C. Wright, NBA.com
Boston hasn’t been truly tested this postseason. No Jimmy Butler in the first round. Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Haliburton missed games in the subsequent rounds. Not only is this Dallas team mostly whole, but it’s also peaking behind a pair of the league’s best closers.
Shaquille O’Neal, TNT Sports
The Celtics do not have three or four guys that can guard Luka. I like Dallas in this series, I like the way they’re playing I think this is a little special for Kyrie maybe a little special for Porzingis.
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut
We think it’s all going to come down to one night, Game 7 at TD Garden on Sunday, June 23 on ABC. Tatum and Brown, leading a team with a 16-year championship drought and one title in 38 years versus Doncic trying to prove he can be one of the best players in NBA history. In a back-and-forth series, we’re predicting a tight fourth quarter with Doncic scoring in double figures including a dagger three with under 60 seconds left for a 107-104 win as he takes home a championship ring and Finals MVP.
This story was originally published May 31, 2024 at 10:53 AM.
