Best NBA Betting Odds and Trends for Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Finals Game 3

Breaking down the latest odds and trends to know for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 of the NBA Finals is crucial for the Dallas Mavericks, as a loss would all be seal their fate against the Boston Celtics in this series.

Trailing 2-0, Dallas is looking to avoid the dreaded 3-0 series deficit -- something no team has ever come back from in a seven-game series in the history of the league.

On the bright side for Dallas, oddsmakers have favored Luka Doncic and company at home in Game 3.

Celtics vs. Mavericks Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Celtics +2.5 (-110)
• Mavericks -2.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Celtics: +114
• Mavericks: -135

Total

• 213 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

The spread in Game 3 has moved since Kristaps Porzingis was diagnosed with a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon on Tuesday.

Porzingis is officially questionable for Game 3, and oddsmakers have moved Dallas from -2 to -2.5 in this game since the Porzingis injury was announced.

Boston has fared well without Porzingis this postseason, but he clearly makes the Celtics a better team, especially after dropping 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field in Game 1.

Can Dallas pick up a win at home to keep its chances to win the Finals alive?

Best Trends for Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals

Boston Celtics on the Road

Boston has dominated on the road in the playoffs, going 6-0 straight up against the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. Can it stay perfect against the Mavericks?

The C's are 22-22-3 against the spread on the road in the 2023-24 season overall, so their playoff performance has been even better.

Boston Celtics as Underdogs

This is just the fourth time this season that the Celtics are underdogs, and it's the first time in five months that they have been in this spot.

Boston is 1-2 against the spread as an underdog in the 2023-24 season. All of those games have come on the road.

Dallas Mavericks at Home

So far this season, Dallas is 25-24 against the spread at home, but that number is slightly better as a home favorite.

The Mavs are 19-17 against the spread as home favorites, although they have lost games at home in every series so far this postseason.

Teams Down 0-2 in Game 3

Dallas is down 0-2 in this series, but there is an interesting trend dating back to 2005 for these teams entering Game 3.

NBA teams down 0-2 at home since 2005:

• 91-47-1 first half ATS
• 66-70-3 full game ATS

The first half trend has been even lately though, going just 13-14-1 1H ATS since 2020-21 (3-4 this year) pic.twitter.com/ecnq7LaJoo

— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) June 12, 2024

However, the Celtics are the best team in the NBA against the spread in the first half this season, so bettors may want to be careful about having to lay points with Dallas, who is a slight favorite, in Game 3.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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