Luka Doncic Injury Downgrade Doesn’t Shift Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 2 Odds

June 9, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic has been downgraded from probable to questionable (Thoracic Contusion; Right Knee Sprain; Left Ankle Soreness) for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night.

Doncic, who played in Game 1 and scored 30 points, has been dealing with ankle and knee injuries since Game 3 of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Luka Doncic is now listed as questionable for Game 2. He has a thoracic contusion in addition to the right knee sprain and left ankle soreness he has been playing through.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 9, 2024

Despite the injuries, Doncic has been effective for most of the playoffs, dominating in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Even with Doncic listed as questionable, oddsmakers have not moved the odds in Boston’s favor for Game 2.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

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This is a very similar line to the one we saw in Game 1 of this series, in fact it had reach Dallas +7 at points this week.

So, Doncic’s injury appears to have no impact on the current spread, which is a sign that oddsmakers expect him to suit up and play in Game 2.

Doncic apparently was grabbing at his chest/rib area during the Mavs’ practice ahead of Game 2.

Luka Doncic has been grabbing at his chest/rib area and kind of grimacing here at Mavs practice before Game 2 pic.twitter.com/jqg3xVUpNJ

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 8, 2024

This injury designation could just be gamesmanship by the Mavs, but it’s certainly a little concerning to see Doncic downgraded before the biggest game of the season to date.

Dallas has been solid in the playoffs and this season as a road underdog, going 14-12 against the spread overall. If Doncic ends up getting ruled out, this spread would skyrocket in favor of Boston, but for now it appears he will at least try to give it a go based on these odds.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

11 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Historic Trend Gives Celtics Massive Edge to Win NBA Finals Over Mavericks

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics have a 2-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, and that puts them in some great company all time.

There have been 36 teams that have led 2-0 in the NBA Finals, and they are 31-5 straight up in the series all time. Not only that, but Boston as a franchise has a 43-1 record when leading 2-0 in a playoff series, only losing in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.

The C's -- the finals favorite for most of the 2023-24 season -- are now -800 at DraftKings Sportsbook to win the title this season heading into Game 3 in Dallas on Wednesday night.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Based on these odds, the Celtics have an implied probability of 88.89 percent to win the title this season. Dallas -- at +550 -- has just a 15.38 percent chance based on implied probability.

Even though Boston is going on the road in Game 3, I wouldn't be worried as a Boston bettor.

The C's are a perfect 6-0 straight up on the road in the playoffs, and Dallas is just 25-24 against the spread at home in the 2023-24 season.

Betting strictly on a historic trend isn't the best way to wager on a series, but this is a great sign for bettors that are holding a Celtics future. In fact, there is one bettor that wagered $215,000 on the Celtics to win the series prior to the start of the NBA Finals.

Boston is set as a slight underdog heading into Game 3 despite being 14-2 straight up this postseason.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Derrick White Called Coach Mazzulla a ‘Sicko’ After Boston’s Game 3 Win

The Boston Celtics had a little scare in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. After a Derrick White three-pointer put Boston up 91-70 with 11:07 remaining in the fourth quarter the Dallas Mavericks went on a 22-2 run to make it a one-point game with 3:37 left in regulation. It must have felt like watching a train crash in slow motion for everyone in Boston, but according to White, there's one person might have enjoyed it: head coach Joe Mazzulla.

White, who had 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots, talked to the press after the game and was asked about how Mazzulla acted down the stretch as the lead disappeared. As Mazzulla said before the game, “The closer you think you are to beating someone, the closer you are to getting your ass kicked." White confirmed that Mazzulla probably enjoyed it because it would allow him to keep telling the team that they have to stay focused.

"He's a sicko, so probably." 😅 🤣
Derrick White on whether or not Joe Mazzulla enjoyed the chance to rally back after a blown lead pic.twitter.com/7yBEcRdvDT
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 13, 2024

"Yeah, Joe is consistent the whole time," said White. " And I mean, he's probably so happy that it happened like that so he can just continue to tell us that. He just stays consistent. He just makes the right calls and we trust him completely. Yeah. Seemed pretty true today."

Asked a followup about whether Mazzulla was really enjoying it White said, "He's a sicko, so probably."

The ultimate compliment for any coach. With a 3-0 lead in the Finals, Mazzulla currently has a 121-43 record in the regular season and won 26 of the first 37 postseason games he's coached. Whatever he's saying or doing, it seems to be working. No matter how sick in the head he may seem.

12 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

A $1.5 Million Bet Just Dropped for Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Finals Game 3

Game 3 of the NBA Finals won't decide the Boston Celtics-Dallas Mavericks series, but there are 1.5 million reasons to care about it for one bettor.

A $1.5 million wager came in on Boston to win Game 3 of the Finals and take a 3-0 series lead at Hard Rock Bet. The Celtics are underdogs in this game (+105 for this bet, +114 at DraftKings Sportsbook on Wednesday morning), just the second time they've been underdogs in the last five months.

One bettor at @HardRockBet wagered $1.5 MILLION on the Boston Celtics ML at +105 odds in Game 3 of the #NBAFinals 👀☘️ pic.twitter.com/qHHNAqfdzS
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) June 12, 2024

If the Celtics win, this bettor will win over $3 million!

Boston has not been an underdog all postseason, and it actually hasn't been favored by fewer than 6.5 points in any game. Here's a quick look at the latest odds.

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Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Boston's odds have gone from +2 to +2.5 over the last 24 hours with the news that Kristaps Porzingis has a new leg injury and is now questionable for Game 3.

It's been reported that Porzingis will attempt to play, but it's possible that he's either unable to go or not nearly as effective due to the injury.

Boston has been dominant on the road this postseason, going 6-0 straight up -- which is a great sign for this bettor.

Not only that, but the Celtics have spent most of the playoffs without Porzingis, and yet they've only lost two total games.

Oddsmakers are giving Dallas the edge at home in Game 3, but this bettor could end up with an insanely huge pay day if Boston goes up 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Luka Doncic Injury Downgrade Doesn’t Shift Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 2 Odds

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Jimm Sallivan