As the NBA Finals enter Game 5, the Boston Celtics look to close things out with a victory over the Dallas Mavericks and capture their record-setting 18th Larry O’Brien trophy on their home court at TD Garden.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will hope to stave off elimination once more and bring things back to American Airlines Center for a Game 6. This game presents plenty of opportunity for not only Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to solidify themselves as the next great Celtics dynasty but also offers some advantages for bettors in this close out scenario.
With an eye of finding the best betting advantages, let’s dive into some intriguing angles for tonight.
Celtics (-6.5)
Heading into Game 4, Jason Kidd aimed to increase the pace and it paid off for the Mavericks. Dallas dominated in transition, outscoring the Celtics 26-7 and clinching a 38-point victory — the third-largest blowout win in NBA Finals history. Boston struggled offensively last Friday but the Celtics are sure to come back strong in Game 5. Home favorites have historically rebounded well after suffering a double-digit road loss, boasting a 105-80-2 ATS record since 2005.
Jayson Tatum over 26.5 points.
With the Celtics one win away from a title, Tatum should be fired up to deliver an epic performance to close out this series. While he has surpassed this line in only one Finals game so far, Tatum has averaged 18.5 field goal attempts and 39.0 minutes per game over the past four games. Tatum and the Celtics will undoubtedly want to dominate the Mavericks in Game 5.
Kyrie Irving under 23.5 points.
Irving struggled in the first two games in Boston, getting booed every time he touched the basketball. This trend is likely to continue in Game 5, considering he has gone under his points prop in three out of four games in this series. If the Mavericks want to force a Game 6, Irving will have to step up with a big performance. The Celtics are well aware of this and will do everything in their power to prevent that from happening.
Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
NBA Finals – Game 5
8:30 p.m. ET, TD Garden, Boston
Records (Against the Spread)
Celtics: 64-18 (50-44-6)
Mavericks: 50-32 (60-42-1)
Line: Celtics (-6.5) Total: 214.5
Money Line: Celtics (-260), Mavericks (+215)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 5.5, straight up 67.6%, 214.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Lower Leg)
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, (GTD – Chest); Greg Brown III, (OUT – Personal)