NBA Finals
- Matchup: Mavericks vs Celtics
- Date: Jun 6 – Jun 23, 2024
- 2024 Winner: Boston Celtics
2024 NBA Finals Recap
NBA 2024 Finals Playoff Recap: NBA Champions Celtics Clinch 18th!
The Boston Celtics secured their 18th NBA Champions title, setting a new record on June 17, 2024. They triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks with an NBA finals score of 106-88 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, with finals MVP Jaylen Brown leading the charge alongside Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White.
Despite a valiant effort from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks fell short. The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic, played with all they had. Even rookie Dereck Lively II, playing in honor of his late mother, promised to fight like she did and he delivered. However, the Celtics’ depth and teamwork proved to be too much and they fell to their knees.
Individual Team Conference Recaps
Recap of the Celtics’ Eastern Conference Run
Starting as the top seed, the Celtics faced the Miami Heat in the first round. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro put up a fight, but without Jimmy Butler, Miami struggled. The Celtics advanced in six games, as do true NBA Champions.
Next up were the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell. An injury to Mitchell was a turning point, and Boston took the series in five games.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics met the Indiana Pacers. Despite strong efforts from Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, the Celtics swept the series, with Jaylen Brown earning the Larry Bird Conference Finals MVP.
Recap of the Mavericks’ Western Conference Run
The Mavericks’ playoff journey began against the LA Clippers. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving outshone James Harden and Paul George, winning the series in six games.
Their toughest test came against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a force, but Dallas, with a surprise lift from P.J. Washington, won in six games.
In the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks faced the Minnesota Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards played well, but Doncic led Dallas to a series win in five games.
NBA 5 Finals Games Recap
Game & Date | Result | Highlights |
---|---|---|
Game 1: June 6th, 2024 | Celtics 107, Mavericks 89 | Boston took an early lead with standout performances from Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. Luka Doncic’s 30 points weren’t enough to match the Celtics’ balanced attack. |
Game 2: June 9th, 2024 | Celtics 105, Mavericks 98 | Jrue Holiday led with 26 points, and Boston took a 2-0 series lead. Despite Luka’s triple-double, Dallas couldn’t keep up. |
Game 3: June 12th, 2024 | Celtics 106, Mavericks 99 | Dallas made a late push, but Boston held firm. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s combined efforts kept the Celtics ahead. |
Game 4: June 14th, 2024 | Mavericks 122, Celtics 84 | Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led a Dallas blowout to avoid a sweep, but Boston still led 3-1 in the series. |
Game 5: June 17th, 2024 | Celtics 106, Mavericks 88 – Celtics NBA Champions! | Boston sealed their championship with a dominant performance. Tatum and Brown’s consistency and teamwork were too much for Dallas. |
In sum, Boston will certainly aim to continue their dominance, while Dallas was slapped with plenty to build on. The NBA action resumes in October 2024!
Betting on the NBA Finals
NBA Finals betting can be a fun and potentially lucrative activity for basketball fans. Betting on the NBA Finals is an exciting way to engage with one of the biggest events in basketball. It allows fans to add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the games while potentially winning some money along the way.
Most Popular Types of NBA Finals Betting
- The NBA point spread: Which is a way to handicap the game and make the betting more competitive.
- Bettors can either choose to bet on the favored team to win by a certain number of points or the underdog to lose by fewer points than the spread.
- Over/under betting is also a popular option, where bettors can bet on whether the total score of the game will be over or under a certain number.
- Another exciting way to bet on the NBA Finals is by placing prop bets, which are wagers on specific events or individual player performances during the game. Prop bets can range from which player will score the first basket of the game to how many points a certain player will score in total.
These bets can add an extra layer of excitement to the game and allow bettors to focus on specific players or events. NBA Finals betting odds vary depending on the sportsbook and can fluctuate throughout the playoffs. It’s important to shop around and find the best odds for the NBA teams you believe will win.
Thus, it’s important to do research, set a budget, and shop around for the best odds to make informed and enjoyable bets. From point spreads to prop bets, there are a variety of options for fans to engage with the NBA Finals and add to the excitement of this pinnacle event in basketball.
NBA Playoffs & Final Future Odds
When looking at NBA playoffs and finals future odds, it’s essential to consider the current state of the league. Which teams are performing well, and which NBA players are in good form?
Additionally, it’s crucial to look at past playoff performances and use that information to make informed betting decisions.
For example, the Brooklyn Nets, who have three All-Star players, have the second-best odds to win the championship this year. However, they have struggled with injuries in the past, which could impact their performance in the NBA playoffs.
Tips for the NBA Finals Odds
Pay Attention to Trends
Trends can be a helpful tool when betting on the playoffs. Look for teams that are on a hot streak or have a history of performing well in the playoffs.
Bet on the Totals
Betting on the totals, or the combined score of the game, can be an excellent option for playoffs betting. Look for games where both teams have strong offenses and weak defenses, or vice versa.
Bet Live
Live betting, or betting on the game as it’s happening, can be a fun and potentially lucrative option during the playoffs. Watch the game and look for opportunities to bet on in-game events like the next team to score or the total number of points in a quarter.
Manage Your Bankroll
Finally, it’s essential to manage your bankroll when betting on the playoffs. Set a budget for your bets, and stick to it, even if you experience a losing streak. Don’t chase your losses by increasing your bets or placing risky wagers.
How To Read NBA Finals Odds
Odds for the NBA Finals display as either “American,” “Decimal,” or “Fractional.” American -which is the default layout for many North American books- displays as either a minus number, like -200, or plus number, like +160. They indicate the favorite and the underdog, respectively.
The minus number shows how much you need to stake to win $100. In this case, -200 means your bet should be $200. In the case of the plus number, it represents what you win when you wager $100, so for a number like +160, a $160 payout is awarded for a $100 bet.
Team | Odds |
---|---|
New York Knicks | -200 |
Denver Nuggets | +160 |
On the other hand, decimals show your total payout (wager + payout). In this example, -200 becomes 1.50, so a $100 bet returns $150 in total (your $100 wager plus a $50 payout). The fractional odds will show as 1/2, a $100 return for a $200 wager.
NBA Betting Example
Betting on the NBA Finals can be challenging, but it gives you more reason to pay attention. When betting on the outright market, keep in mind that this is a long-term bet. You can bet on which team will win the NBA title at almost any time of the year. The odds change as the basketball season progresses.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened at +400 to win the NBA title during the preseason, but thanks to a myriad of injuries, bad play, and reports of feuds between the star players, the team’s odds have lengthened to +1500.
Team | Odds Regular Season | Odds Playoffs |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles Lakers | +400 | +1500 |
It can be worth it betting on a team more than once if you think there is still value available. Alternatively, you can also bet on more than one team.
NBA Finals History & Highlights
At the Beginning
The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where the Eastern and Western Conference champions compete in a best-of-seven series. The NBA Finals originated from the merger of two leagues, the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America, in 1949 to create the NBA. However, the name NBA Finals was first used in 1986. Before that, the final series was called the NBA World Championship Series, or, in 1983 and 1984, Showdown. The word Finals is also used in the name of the two NBA conference championship series, Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals.
The series has gone through several changes over the years. Initially structured in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, it was changed in 1985 to a 2-3-2 format to ease the amount of cross-country travel. In this format, the first two and the last two games of the series are played at the arena of the team who earned home-court advantage by having the better record during the regular season. During that period, the playoffs had a unique format, where the first-place team in each division was idle while its two runners-up played a best-of-three series. Then, the division semifinals reverted to a best-of-five format.
However, in 2003, the NBA changed the format to the current best-of-seven series, where the first round is a best-of-seven series between the first and eighth seeds, the second round is between the winners of the first round, and so on until the NBA Finals.
Iconic Moments & Dynasties
Over the years, the NBA playoffs have witnessed some of the most iconic moments in basketball history. Some of the most memorable series include the 1994 NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks, where the Rockets came back from a 3-2 deficit to win the series in seven games, and the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, where the Cavaliers won their first-ever championship in seven games after trailing 3-1 in the series.
The NBA playoffs have also seen some dominant teams and dynasties, such as the Boston Celtics of the 1960s, the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s, and the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s. These teams won multiple championships and cemented their place in basketball history. Other notable champions include the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors.
In conclusion, the NBA playoffs have a rich history that spans over 75 years. From its humble beginnings as a single-elimination tournament to the current best-of-seven series format, the playoffs have seen some of the most iconic moments and dominant teams in basketball history. The playoffs are a true test of a team’s character and offer fans an opportunity to witness the highest level of competition in basketball.
2023 NBA Finals Recap
Nuggets vs Heat – 4 Curious Facts
There’s nothing we like more than trivia regarding our faves, which is why below we have written out 8 curiosities regarding these two great teams:
- The Miami Heat’s “Big Three”: In the summer of 2010, the Heat made a splash by signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade, forming a star-studded trio that became known as the “Big Three.” This partnership led the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014, winning two championships.
- Nuggets’ Record-Setting Night: On December 10, 1983, the Denver Nuggets set an NBA record by scoring 186 points in a triple-overtime game against the Detroit Pistons. This high-scoring affair remains one of the most memorable games in NBA history.
- Allen Iverson’s Stint with the Nuggets: In 2006, the Nuggets acquired Allen Iverson, a future Hall of Famer, in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson’s time in Denver brought excitement to the team and the fans, as he showcased his electrifying scoring ability alongside Carmelo Anthony.
- Heat’s Championship Run in 2006: In the 2006 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, staged a historic comeback against the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win the series 4-2,
The 2023 NBA Finals had several betting odds that varied among regulated sportsbooks. For example, NBA futures betting regarding conferences allowed players to bet on which basketball teams will win their respective conferences.
Below are NBA odds that predict which teams from the Western Conference and Eastern Conference will make the NBA Finals. There are 15 teams for each conference, each divided into three divisions.