2024 NBA Finals: 15 best bets from handicappers for Game 3
Plus, insights from oddsmakers and where the public is betting
The NBA Finals shift to Dallas on Wednesday night, with the Mavericks (-2.5) favored for the first time in a game this series, despite being down 2-0. The Celtics are up to -800 favorites to win the NBA Finals at BetMGM, with the Mavs coming back at +550.
Despite two terrific performances, Luka Doncic has gone Under his points prop in both games so far in this series. He’ll likely need a big game for Dallas to win. Doncic’s points prop is set at 32.5 for tonight’s game.
There was also one of the bigger reported bets we’ve seen in the sports betting world placed on Tuesday, as a bettor at Hard Rock Bet wagered $1.5 million on the Celtics to win Game 3 at +105 odds. Hard Rock confirmed to me that the wager was placed in Florida and over the app.
Here is the public betting info for tonight’s game at several sportsbooks, along with quotes from oddsmakers I’ve spoken with and 15 aggregated best bets on Game 3 from respected handicappers.
Good luck with your wagers!
Game 3: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks (-2.5, 213)
DraftKings: 48% of bets, 81% of $$ on Mavs -2.5
BetMGM: 48% of bets, 60% of $$ on Mavs -2.5
ESPN BET: 50% of bets, 63% of $$ on Mavs -2.5
BetRivers: 53% of bets, 60% of $$ on Mavs -2.5
Most-bet Game 3 player props (by total wagers) at DraftKings
Most-bet Game 3 player props (by total wagers) at BetMGM
Jrue Holiday over 10.5 assists/rebounds (-145)
Luka Doncic under 9.5 assists (-145)
Jayson Tatum over 9.5 rebounds (-120)
Kyrie Irving over 23.5 points (-105)
Sam Hauser over 1.5 three-pointers (+130)
Most-bet Game 3 player props (by total wagers) at ESPN BET
Luka Doncic over 32.5 total points (-120)
Jaylen Brown over 23.5 total points (-110)
Kyrie Irving over 23.5 total points (-115)
Jrue Holiday over 13.5 total points (-120)
Luka Doncic over 9.5 total rebounds (-125)
Oddsmaker insights
“Early Mavs money for us. With the way that Game 2 ended, right on 7, if you took the +7.5 on the Mavs you won. Seven wasn’t the best landing spot for us. Lot of Dallas support in Game 2 and that’s how the betting has been so far in Game 3. Moving home, bettors counting on them shooting better than they have been. Opened -1.5, now at -2.” — Thomas Gable, Borgata sportsbook director
"We opened with Dallas as 1.5-point favorites and that’s been pushed out to -2.5 off of the news of Kristaps Porzingis’ unusual injury and some doubt about his ability to play in the rest of the series. Bet count [is] split almost exactly 50/50 but 70% of handle has been on the Mavs.” — FanDuel trader
Best bets
Mavericks ML -125 — Matt Youmans, VSiN
Mavs -2 — Doug Kezirian, OnlyPlayers.com