NBA Finals Betting Odds: Game 1 Lines and Finals MVP

The Boston Celtics, sharing the record with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most NBA titles at 17, last clinched the championship in 2008. However, according to odds from the US Sportsbooks for the Finals starting on Thursday, Boston is favored to surpass L.A. and secure their 18th title.

The Celtics are listed at -220 to win the NBA Finals, while the Dallas Mavericks are at +180. Boston, which reached the Finals most recently in 2022, has demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the season. With an impressive 64 regular-season victories, they have dominated the playoffs with a 12-2 record, including an undefeated 6-0 on the road. This success has largely been achieved without their starting center, Kristaps Porzingis, who is anticipated to make a return from a prolonged injury rehab this week.

Porzingis is among five Celtics players featured on the Sportsbooks' odds board as top contenders for the Finals MVP. He, along with teammate Jrue Holiday, stands at +6000. The favorite for the MVP is Boston’s Jayson Tatum at +100, followed by Dallas Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic at +180. Other notable players include Jaylen Brown of the Celtics with odds of +400, Dallas’ Kyrie Irving at +2000, and Derrick White of Boston at +4000.

The Mavericks, who claimed their only NBA championship in 2011 and finished as runners-up in 2006, are underdogs by 6 points in Thursday’s opening game. They are available at +200 on the money line, with Boston favored at -235. The over/under for the game is set at 214.5.