Author Photo
Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum Game 3 live blog 06112024
(NBA Getty Images)

Game 4 of the NBA Finals is tightly priced in the betting market, as Dallas looks to win at home and extend the series to a fifth game in Boston. Here are live odds from BetMGM Sportsbook for Friday night's Mavericks vs. Celtics contest.

 

In Game 4 on Wednesday night, the Mavericks took a 51-50 lead into halftime and looked poised to make the NBA Finals a competitive series. The Celtics had different plans, blitzing Dallas in the third quarter, 35-19. The Mavericks went on a huge fourth-quarter run, cutting a 21-point Boston lead to one. Luka Doncic fouled out on a questionable call, and the Mavericks couldn't finish the comeback without him.

That foul could be the difference between Dallas making this a series or a Boston sweep. The Mavericks finally made a game close, largely due to Kyrie Irving's best game of the series, scoring 35 points. Doncic had a below-average night, scoring 27 with six rebounds and six assists before fouling out.

Boston has gotten a lot from its role players in this series, but in Game 3, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown showed up big time, scoring 31 and 30 points, respectively. Now the question becomes, can Dallas win just one game? With Kristaps Porzingis's health in doubt for the rest of the series, if the Mavs can gain a little momentum, they could win a few games and make this series interesting again.

Here are odds, betting news, analysis and player prop bets for Celtics vs. Mavericks, plus our best bet for Game 4 for the NBA Finals.

Celtics vs. Mavericks odds: NBA Finals Game 4 point spread, moneyline, total

Here are NBA betting odds for Boston vs. Dallas Game 4 from BetMGM, one of our top-rated US sportsbooks.

  • Spread: Dallas | Celtics
  • Moneyline: Dallas | Celtics
  • OVER/UNDER Total:

Boston Celtics betting news and analysis

The Celtics' star duo came to play in Game 3, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had to do it without Kristaps Porzingis and only one other player scoring in double figures. Tatum led the team with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists. Brown was even more impressive, scoring 30 on 12-for-22 shooting from the field. He also had eight rebounds and eight assists, the most he has had all postseason and the second most he has had all season.

Without Porzingis, the Celtics had to find someone to give some reserve minutes. Xavier Tillman filled the role, and while he only had three points and four rebounds, he played well defensively. Tillman blocked two shots with a +9 plus-minus. Sam Hauser also got more minutes when the Celtics went small, and he had an excellent night with eight points, going 3-for-4 from three.

The Celtics have star power, but a key theme of the series has been solid performances from role players when they've needed it. It seems unlikely for Porzingis to play again this series, and Boston will continue to look to players like Tillman and Hauser for quality minutes to finish off Dallas.

More: Best NBA betting sites | Latest sportsbook promos and bonuses

Dallas Mavericks betting news and analysis

Throughout Game 4, Dallas seemed to be on the verge of a win. The Mavericks were in control for much of the first half, and even after allowing a 20-point lead in the second half, they found a way back. Just as it seemed they would extend their run and take the lead, Doncic fouled out. If not for that, this could have been an entirely different series.

There have been 156 NBA series in which a team has taken a 3-0 series lead. There have been four instances where a team came back to win three games and force a Game 7, but none have ever won four in a row. While the series appears to be over, there is one key that could give Dallas hope. The Celtics looked different without Porzingis, and the Mavericks must take advantage of his absence.

BetMGM Celtics vs. Mavericks prop bets and picks

Here are a few of our favorite player props for Game 4 of the NBA Finals from BetMGM Sportsbook.

  • Luka Doncic 32.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-120)
  • Kyrie Irving 24.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
  • Jayson Tatum 27.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
  • Jaylen Brown 24.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-120)
  • Luka Doncic 50.5 points + assists + rebounds OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)

Our favorite BetMGM Sportsbook player prop pick for Game 4 is Luka to go OVER 50.5 points + assists + rebounds (-120). Doncic is averaging 46.9 ppg in the playoffs, and after he fouled out in Game 3 and stayed well UNDER 50.5, expect him to come back in Game 4.

Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 4 ATS prediction

The Mavericks let several chances slip away in Game 3, and down 3-0, the series is all but over. Dallas will not want to watch Boston celebrate at American Airlines Center, and they will find a way to win, forcing the series to a Game 5 back in Boston.

Prediction: Mavericks

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Sporting News has editorial oversight for this content. Learn more >

Author(s)
Caleb Tallman Photo

Caleb Tallman has written for many companies, big and small, everything from middle and high school sports to the national level and pro teams.