NBA Finals G2: Mavericks-Celtics Preview, Props, Odds
Sun Jun 9 2:09pm ET
Field Level Media
The Boston Celtics are coming off a rout in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but can't let their collective foot off the gas as they attempt to take a 2-0 series lead and maintain home-court advantage over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.
TRENDING
The Celtics cruised to an 18-point win in Game 1 and opened as 7.5-point favorites ahead of Game 2. However, that line has been trimmed to 6.5 points, including at BetMGM, where the Mavericks have been backed by 70 percent of the spread-line money and 57 percent of the bets.
The public largely is expecting a far stronger effort from Dallas on Sunday night. The Mavericks' +220 moneyline has drawn 56 percent of the money and 73 percent of the total bets.
The Mavs sputtered out of the gate in Game 1, contributing heavily to the 196 total points scored. The Over/Under ahead of Game 2 is 214.5 points, with the Over supported by 52 percent of the money and 60 percent of the total bets at the book.
PROP PICK
Kyrie Irving Over 22.5 Points (-108 at DraftKings): This is the most popular player points prop at the book. Irving is coming off a 12-point effort in Game 1 in which he made a dismal 6 of 13 shot attempts. That came after averaging 27.0 points in Dallas' five-game series win over Minnesota.
THE NEWS
It will take a lot more than psychological warfare to slow down the Celtics if they manage to replicate their Game 1 performance. Boston cruised to a 107-89 victory on Thursday night, leading by as many as 29 points.
Jaylen Brown finished with a team-high 22 points for the Celtics, while Kristaps Porzingis returned from a 10-game absence due to a calf strain to pour in 20 in 21 minutes off the bench. Jayson Tatum finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Luka Doncic went for 30 points and 10 boards for Dallas, but Irving largely was held in check. Irving missed all five of his 3-point attempts and committed three turnovers while being taunted by Boston fans all night.
Most of the Mavericks' struggles stemmed from a lack of ball movement, as Dallas finished with only nine assists -- the fewest by any team in a game this season. Coach Jason Kidd is hoping for a more fluid performance in Game 2.
"I thought we were too much one-on-one. We've got to move bodies. We've got to move the ball. Multiple guys got to touch the ball," Kidd said. "We were just too stagnant, and that's not the way we play. So, we've got to be better (Sunday)."
KEY STAT
Irving is now 0-11 in his past 11 games against the Celtics, a losing streak that he is confident he can shed on Sunday.
"Just got to calm our nerves, poise our nerves a little bit and also just be aware of the environment that we're in," Irving said. "It's going to be high intense from who we're going against. It's going to be very physical. Some things are going to be called, some things aren't.
"So I think we got all that experience in Game 1, and we're looking forward to the challenge in Game 2 to playing better, and being who we have been since post-All-Star break. ... We're the only two teams playing, so we're proud of ourselves, but we're not satisfied."
THEY SAID IT
Tatum and Brown aren't letting Kidd create a rift between them ahead of Game 2.
Kidd referred to Brown as Boston's best player while speaking to reporters on Saturday. Whether he truly meant it or was simply trying to play mind games with the Celtics remains a mystery, but the comment didn't elicit a reaction from Tatum or Brown.
"We understand that people try to drive a wedge in between us," Tatum said. "Guess it's a smart thing to do -- or try to do. But we've been in this position for many years of guys trying to divide us and say that one of us should be traded or one's better than the other. So it's not our first time at the rodeo."
Boston veteran Al Horford thought Kidd's intentions were pretty clear.
"J-Kidd, man. I see what he's doing," Horford said. "Jaylen Brown is an unbelievable player ... and very special for us."
- Clippers F Kawhi Leonard (knee) to sit out drills in training camp
- Grizzlies retiring Tony Allen's No. 9 on March 15
- Celtics C Kristaps Porzingis targets December return
- Grizzlies waiving G Derrick Rose
- Raptors to join Nets in retiring Vince Carter's number
- Knicks C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) to miss start of season
- Rockets' AJ Griffin leaving team, to be waived
- Nets sign G Killian Hayes, F Tyrese Martin
- Raptors' Bruce Brown undergoes knee surgery
- Hawks sign G Kevon Harris, F Joey Hauser
- 76ers sign Joel Embiid to three-year, $193M extension
- Nets to retire Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey on Jan. 25
- Bye-bye Boban: Marjanovic heading to EuroLeague
- Lakers plan to sign C Christian Koloko
- Cavs keep F Isaac Okoro with three-year, $38M deal
- G Landry Shamet agrees to 1-year deal with Knicks
- Junior Bridgeman buying 10 percent equity in Bucks
- Lakers' Christian Wood (knee) out 8 weeks after setback
- Longtime Rockets coach, GM Carroll Dawson dies
- Nuggets, Jamal Murray agree to 4-year, $208M extension
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum spent some of the offseason working on his shooting, telling the media on Tuesday that he has worked through "a few mechanical things" on his jumper with trainer Drew Hanlen. Tatum has developed into one of the best scorers in the league, but his numbers dipped in 2023-24. The five-time All-Star went from averaging 30 points a night to getting 26.9 points. Tatum shot a career-low 28.3 percent from three-point range in the 2024 playoffs and couldn't get anything to fall from deep at the Paris Olympics. The Celtics star enters the new season after signing the biggest extension in NBA history and is expected to be out to prove his worth after being largely overlooked by Team USA in the summer.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (leg) is progressing in his return from the torn medial retinaculum suffered in the postseason. During Celtics' media day, the veteran reported feeling "really good," adding he's been running and doing "light contact work." Porzingis finished his first season in Boston by averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks. However, he appeared in only 57 regular-season contests, which limited his fantasy contributions. While the 29-year-old hopes to return sooner than anticipated, fantasy managers should still be prepared to keep him stashed on their roster. Yet, once he is fully healthy, he'll be a difference-maker for fantasy managers come the playoffs. With that in mind, Al Horford will hold things down in the middle until Porzingis is back on the court, giving him value in all formats early in the 2024-25 campaign.
According to Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is still dealing with swelling in his right knee. While the veteran's condition has improved, it will still limit him during training camp. Most assumed the issue would be behind him. However, it doesn't appear to be the case. Leonard finished last season by averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like Leonard is a lock to be ready to begin the 2024-25 campaign, so his fantasy stock will suffer until there is more clarity regarding his health. For now, it may be best for managers to look in another direction during fantasy drafts, at least in the first few rounds.
Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens said on Tuesday that center Luke Kornet had offseason wrist surgery, but he's 100 percent heading into training camp, per Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Kornet will likely see an uptick in early-season minutes with Kristaps Porzingis (foot) sidelined. In the 2023-24 regular season, the big man suited up for 63 contests and logged averages of 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game.
According to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens said on Tuesday that center Kristaps Porzingis (foot) is progressing well since his foot surgery in June. Stevens didn't give a timetable on when Porzingis will likely return, but he is optimistic and said he is surprised at how quickly he is improving. Once healthy, the big man will significantly impact fantasy as he averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 29.6 minutes last regular season.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Larry Nance Jr. believes he will have a great time playing under the guidance of Quin Snyder. "Quin is a basketball mastermind," Nance Jr. told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Lauren L. Williams. "I was a huge fan of his when he was at Utah, and obviously, these past few years in Atlanta. Now I'm excited to play for him, and we're gonna get along really well. Yeah, I consider myself a high-IQ basketball player, and he's very high IQ." Nance Jr.'s production has dipped in recent years, and he will attempt to produce a bounce-back campaign under a new coach on a different team. However, he needs to avoid health troubles to make it happen. The 31-year-old has never played more than 67 games in a single NBA campaign.
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has made a good impression in minicamp sessions ahead of training camp. "It was one thing for the 11th pick to impress in summer league, but the word out of minicamp sessions is the 19-year-old is holding his own in team activities. Buzelis has impressed with his passing and ability to attack the rim," wrote The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry. Buzelis is expected to be one of the top rookies in the league this season, and based on Mayberry's words, he looks ready to make an instant impact. Buzelis' fantasy value could get a further boost if Patrick Williams (foot) isn't fully healthy for the start of the year.
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Josh Green will likely be a starter on his new team. According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, "all indications" show that Green will line up on the backcourt alongside LaMelo Ball. Green started only 62 of his 223 games with the Dallas Mavericks across the past four seasons. He has posted 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in his career as a member of the first unit. Going from an NBA finalist to one of the worst teams in the league isn't a career path any player will want to take. But Green looks set to play a much larger role with his new squad, giving him extra fantasy value.
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (back) is fully healthy ahead of training camp. "Ben is fully cleared and is a full participant for the start of camp. He is excited to get started," Simmons' agent Bernie Lee told NBA insider Chris Haynes. Simmons had a second back surgery in three years in March, which ended his 2023-24 campaign. He also missed a large chunk at the start of the season, finishing with only 15 appearances. Simmons, a three-time All-Star in 2019-2021, remains an enigmatic player who is naturally gifted in many areas but who can't stay healthy. Hopefully, the story will be different this season.
Forward Nassir Little is joining the Miami Heat on a one-year deal. According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Little's deal is expected to be partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed. The 24-year-old was available as a free agent after the Phoenix Suns waived Little four weeks ago. He saw very little action in Phoenix last season, averaging 10.2 minutes across 45 games. The former first-round pick has previously proven that he can contribute at this level, but Little's chances of carving out a significant role in Miami don't appear high.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) is healthy heading into the 2024-25 campaign. He sprained his right MCL in the Heat's Play-In loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and missed the remainder of the postseason. Injuries have been an issue for Butler over the years, with the veteran appearing in 64 games or fewer in each of his five seasons in South Beach. When healthy, he's as good of a fantasy producer as it gets. But until Butler stays on the floor, his fantasy value is capped. Still, the 35-year-old warrants top-25 fantasy consideration in all scoring formats.
According to ESPN's Jamal Collier, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankles) is anticipated to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. The 33-year-old averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds last season. He also shot 38.1% from deep, his highest since 2020-21. However, after Middleton appeared in only 33 games in 2022-23, he appeared in 55 last season and underwent surgeries on both ankles over the summer. That said, the 2012 No. 39 overall pick needs to stay healthy for the Bucks to consider themselves a championship-caliber club. He'll also need to find out how to avoid the injury report. Until then, Middleton will remain a risky fantasy option no matter what round he's drafted heading into the year.
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (shoulder) "enters training camp with a clean bill of health." After beginning the 2023-24 campaign by serving a 25-game suspension, Morant averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds for Memphis. Unfortunately, he injured his shoulder and underwent season-ending surgery. Without a doubt, the 25-year-old is an All-Star caliber performer. He also has MVP potential. However, Morant's off-the-court conduct remains a concern, and his inability to stay healthy over the years has been an issue. But he can still anchor a fantasy team, so he's worth drafting for those comfortable with taking a gamble.
The Grizzlies waived guard Derrick Rose on Monday. The 35-year-old appeared in 24 regular season contests for Memphis last season, averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. With one year left on his former deal, he requested his release, indicating his intention to remain playing. Without question, Rose's best days are well behind him. However, he was semi-productive in his seven starts with the Grizzlies in 2023-24, so he could have value at times during the 2024-25 campaign.
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (foot) continues to rehab his surgically repaired left foot ahead of training camp, which starts Oct. 1. Back in July, Williams told Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic that everything felt good, there wasn't any pain or swelling, and that he was running and jumping. Fast forward to August, where the Bulls met up in Miami for some voluntary workouts, and Williams was forced to stop participating after he experienced discomfort in the same foot he had surgery on. As of right now, it's unclear if he'll be ready by the start of training camp, and then the discussion turns to whether he'll be ready by the start of the regular season. Williams appeared in just 43 games last year and averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has been in the middle of the rumor mill for a couple of seasons already, but it seems like he hasn't let that keep him away from team activities. According to Darnell Mayberry of the Athletic, LaVine is buying into the voluntary workouts and the player-led minicamps throughout the offseason. LaVine and the team are still working on trade options, but he's working to be an asset to his teammates in the meantime. He was present and a full participant when the team traveled to Miami for workouts, and when they went back to Chicago for some practices before training camp started. If LaVine stays on the Bulls for a portion of this coming season, he's likely to get plenty of offensive opportunities after DeMar DeRozan departed for Sacramento.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (foot) underwent a foot surgery in May to address a stress injury that he suffered in the first round of last year's playoffs. According to Yaron Weitzman, the Knicks are not expecting Robinson to return until around the December/January time frame. The team is trying to be as cautious as they can, so they aren't planning to rush him back until he's as close to 100% as possible. Robinson also had surgery on his foot last December before returning in the playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers where re-aggravated the injury and needed further surgery to help alleviate the issue. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is planning to increase Julius Randle's minutes at center in the meantime, and even use OG Anunoby to guard opposing centers in shorter spurts.
Free-agent center/forward Harry Giles III agreed to a training camp deal with the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, he'll compete for a roster spot on a very bare-bones roster that suffered a lot of injuries last season. Giles didn't play at all in the NBA during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, then came back to play for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers last year. Through 23 total appearances last season, Giles averaged 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds across 4.3 minutes per game. Knee injuries have been his biggest issue since being drafted 20th overall in 2017, but he may find a depth spot if he can stay healthy and compete through the preseason.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) continues to move toward a return to the National Basketball Association. The 26-year-old hasn't played since January 2022, undergoing multiple surgical procedures on his left knee, including receiving a meniscus transplant from a donor. Fortunately, he increased his workload throughout the summer, progressing to five-on-five scrimmages. Before going down with the injury, Ball had one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals. He also shot a much-improved 42.3% from deep. With that said, Ball will likely see the court sparingly once he's cleared to return. But the Bulls have a loaded backcourt featuring Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu. Zach LaVine is also still in the picture, at least for now. As a result, if Ball will have any value for fantasy managers in 2024-25, it may not come for at least a few months, meaning he won't see much attention during fantasy drafts.
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle expects "to be ready to play by or near the start of the season." The multi-time All-Star injured his ankle in January. He initially opted for rehab instead of surgery, hoping to join the Knicks for the postseason. Unfortunately, rehab wasn't successful, resulting in Randle going under the knife in April. From a production standpoint, the 24-year-old had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023-24, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 46 games. Without question, he is one of the most underrated players in the National Basketball Association. However, the Knicks' roster looks drastically different from when Randle was on the floor last, so it's hard to predict how the new additions might impact his fantasy contributions. Still, as long as he stays healthy, he should remain a reliable fantasy asset.