The Mavericks are in a tough spot after losing 105-98 to the Celtics in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals. Heading back home to Dallas for Game 3 at the American Airlines Center, they are facing an uphill battle to overcome the 0-2 deficit. While it’s not impossible to come back from such a situation, the odds are stacked against them, especially since falling behind 0-3 is usually a death sentence in the NBA playoffs.
Despite the Celtics not shooting well in the Finals, with a 32.1% 3-point shooting percentage and a 46.4% field goal percentage, they have managed to secure victories in the first two games. Jayson Tatum, Boston’s leading scorer in the regular season, has struggled with a 31.6% shooting average in the series. On the other hand, the Mavericks have seen solid performances from Luka Doncic, but they need more production from Kyrie Irving and the rest of the team, as they are shooting just 15.6% from three-point range.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ABC. The series schedule is as follows:
– Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
– Game 2: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98
– Game 3: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12 (7:30 CT)
– Game 4: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Friday, June 14 (7:30 CT)
– Game 5: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Monday, June 17 (7:30 CT)*
– Game 6: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Thursday, June 20 (7:30 CT)*
– Game 7: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 23 (7 CT)*
For those looking to place bets on the NBA Finals, the current betting odds are:
– Point spread: Celtics +2.5, Mavericks -2.5
– Over/under: 212.5
– Moneyline: Celtics +115, Mavericks -140
As the Mavericks look to turn the tide in Game 3 and get back into the series, all eyes will be on how they respond to the pressure and whether they can make the necessary adjustments to outplay the Celtics on their home court. Fans can catch all the action on ABC or stream it on platforms like the ESPN App, YouTube TV, or Sling TV.