The NBA Finals shift to Dallas for Game 3 on Wednesday night, with the Boston Celtics holding a commanding 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Dončić scored over thirty points in the second consecutive game in the series, yet his team still lost to the rampaging Celtics. Boston once again proved that they are an all-round team with the scoring spread across the team, with Jason Tatum's off-day shooting having no negative impact on the overall outcome. As Game 3 heads to the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks are slight favorites on the money line to grab a win and get back into the reckoning.
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Basketball: 2024 NBA Finals, Game 3
Where to Watch: ABC
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date: 13.06.2024. 03:30
Dallas Mavericks
Massive pressure is on the Mavericks to avoid getting into a 3-0 hole in the series. Despite a valiant effort from Luka Dončić, with a triple-double of 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, the Mavericks lacked consistent scoring outside the Slovenian. Kristaps Porziņģis struggled, and although Kyrie Irving improved on his Game 1 performance with 16 points, it was not enough. P.J. Washington added 17 points, but that was only from the cast. Luka Dončić was so frustrated that he blamed himself for the defeat, citing his 4-of-8 points from the free-throw line and 8 turnovers. The Mavs need to copy from their opponents, who deployed a team-wide strategy that negates any defense on the star players. The Mavericks must also find a way to counter Boston's stiff defense, especially in crunch time.
It's not all on him. It's a team. He put us in a position. He was really good tonight. Unfortunately, we just couldn't get over the hump. We've got to find someone to join Luka and Kyrie Irving in that scoring category.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics exhibited their depth and team-oriented strategy in earning victory in Game 2. Jayson Tatum struggled to make baskets, so Jrue Holiday stepped up as the leading scorer, with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Tatum, however, added valuable assists and rebounds, recording 12 assists and nine rebounds. Jaylen Brown clocked 21 points and 3 steals, and Derrick White contributed 18 points and 3 steals. Added to Payton Pritchard's clutch 3-pointer at the buzzer, the Boston Celtics players could cancel coach Jason Kidd's attempt to isolate the Celtics' stars. In the third quarter, the Celtics shut down Luka Dončić, limiting him to 3 points, but the game's defensive play went to an individual when Derrick White's chase-down block on Dorian Finney-Smith in the final seconds sealed the win for Boston.
They were double-teaming him [Tatum], and he was making the right play. The way that he played and led us, getting into the paint, making plays, finding me wide open - it was all about him.
Betting Odds
The Dallas Mavericks are 1.79 favorites on Betway with the Boston Celtics 2.00 underdogs on the money line. Total over 210 is priced at 1.645 on 1xBet, with the under available at 2.2 odds. Luka Dončić to score over 32.5 is 1.86 odds on Bet365, with Jaylen Brown listed for 1.90 to point under 21.5. Read more.
Bet on Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics with Bet365
