The Boston Celtics are favored. The Dallas Mavericks probably don't care. Both teams have plenty of reasons to believe they will be your next NBA champions.
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Interestingly, this will be the sixth straight year that the NBA will have a new title winner. It's been a while since we could say that. Probably what happens when LeBron James and everyone who's any good for the Golden State Warriors gets old.
Anyway, back to the Celtics and Mavericks. Boston boasts the likes of Jayson Tatum and Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. Those two are supported by a strong cast — from Jrue Holiday to Kristaps Porzingis to Derrick White, Al Horford and beyond.
Then there's Dallas. Luka Doncic may be the postseason's best player. Backcourt-mate Kyrie Irving isn't far behind. Their supporting cast is a little less experienced than Boston's, but still very talented. It includes P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, acquired at the trade deadline, hustling rookie big man Dereck Lively II, and Derrick Jones Jr., the former Slam Dunk champ who has risen high from basketball's ashes.
So, Celtics? Or Mavericks? Who's your pick? Either way, you have a 50-percent chance of being right. We think.
Finals Schedule
- Game 1: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Thursday, June 6 (8:30 ET)
- Game 2: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 9 (8 ET)
- Game 3: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12 (8:30 ET)
- Game 4: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Friday, June 14 (8:30 ET)
- Game 5: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Monday, June 17 (8:30 ET)*
- Game 6: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Thursday, June 20 (8:30 ET)*
- Game 7: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 23 (8 ET)*
* = if necessary
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Finals Odds
- Celtics: -230
- Mavericks: +180
