Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Boston Celtics are in full control of the NBA Finals after winning Games 1 and 2 at home by a combined 25 points, securing a 107-89 victory in the opener before following it up with a 105-98 win. 

Dallas was overwhelmed in the first half of Game 1, but they responded well to start Game 2 before falling too far behind in the second half. 

Now, they’ll return to their home fans, who need to bring energy if they want their squad to last more than four games in this series.

Let’s dive into a few Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks picks for Game 3.

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3 betting picks and predictions

Celtics ML (+105)

The Boston Celtics own a two-game lead in this series, and I expect them to extend their lead to three games on Friday night. The only way I see this Dallas team taking down Boston is if Kyrie + Luka can score 55+ combined points while Boston struggles to hit their shots. 

The Mavs had a great opportunity to take Game 2 on the road because the Celtics couldn’t find the basket in the first half whatsoever. 

Boston finished the game 10-39 from three (25.6%) and 38-84 (45.2%) from the field, and they won this game because they hit their free throws. 

The C’s were 19-20 from the charity strike (95%), while the Mavs went 16-24 (67%), and Dallas only has themselves to blame for Sunday’s defeat. The fact that Dallas missed this opportunity makes me feel like they have no chance in this series, and the Celtics should go into Dallas and win both games.

Boston has completely stifled the Mavericks offense, and the main reason for that is Kristaps Porzingis.

Although Luka Doncic had success going against him in pick and rolls, the Latvian big man isn’t allowing the Slovenian to throw his coveted lobs to Derrick Jones Jr., Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. 

The Mavs had 57 alley-oops during their run to the Finals, which was 15 more than the next four teams combined, but Boston has completely taken this away in this series.  

Additionally, Kyrie Irving has been a no-show in this series, as the Celtics are guarding him well, and I don’t think he’ll be able to just turn things around on a dime. 

Unless Jason Kidd brings a whole new game plan to Game 3, I expect the more experienced and talented team to win, and I’ll back against Dallas on Friday night.

Over 212.5 (-110)

The second one of my Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3 picks focuses on the game total (over/under), which has gone under in Games 1 and 2. 

When the NBA Finals betting lines originally opened for Game 1, the total was 212.5 before it climbed to 217. It has returned to its original opening line for Game 3, and I anticipate this game will finish with Over 212.5 Points.

The Mavericks are the main reason the total finished under in the first two games, as they’ve scored just 89 and 98 points. The good news is they’ve played much better at home this postseason, scoring 101, 116, 114, 105, 100, 117, 116 and 105 for an average of 109.3 PPG. The scoreline should be close, but I think the Celtics will score 110+ for the first time in this series. 

Boston had scored 110+ in four of the five games leading up to the Finals, and they haven’t shot the ball extremely well this series outside of the first quarter in Game 1. 

Additionally, Jayson Tatum has failed to shoot well through two games, and it feels like he will explode for at least one game in this series. Expect the Mavs to have more conviction facing a two-game series lead, but the Celtics won’t have back-to-back shooting nights, so Game 3 should finish with Over 212.5 Points.

Jayson Tatum Over 25.5 Points (-115)

I backed Tatum to have a big Game 1, and that was definitely the wrong play. Jason Kidd had the entire Dallas defense focusing on Tatum in the opener and, to a lesser extent, in Game 2. Tatum has 17 assists through two games, marking the most he’s recorded over a two-game stretch since just before the All-Star break.

The Mavs took a slightly different approach from Game 1 to Game 2, and Tatum took six more shots. Although he only made six of the 22 total attempts, the opportunities were there. 

With a player as talented as Tatum, I anticipate his shot will finally fall. Additionally, he showed his ability to get to the rim in Game 2, and I expect him to be just as aggressive in Game 3.

If he can even make 45 percent of his shots, he should finish with 20+ from the floor, and I anticipate that he’ll get to the free-throw line at least four times. This should put him between 26-28 points, so I’m betting on Jayson Tatum Over 25.5 Points in Game 3.

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Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3 odds

Dallas Mavericks	-125 ML
Boston Celtics	+105 ML
Spread	DAL -2
Total	O/U 212.5

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3 player props

Player Points

Luka Doncic	O/U 32.5
Jayson Tatum	O/U 25.5
Kyrie Irving	O/U 23.5
Jaylen Brown	O/U 21.5
PJ Washington	O/U 14.5
Derrick White	O/U 14.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.