Who Will Win the NBA Finals 2024? NBA Finals Predictions 2024 Know More
by
Updated Jun 06, 2024
Who Will Win the NBA Finals 2024?
The Celtics are the NBA's best offensive team and second-best defensive team, with a record-breaking 64 wins.The Boston Celtics kicked off their offseason with a daring trade to revamp their team's composition. They wrapped it up with another major deal to cement what was overwhelmingly considered the top starting group in the NBA.
Boston wasn't merely the top team throughout the season — it was statistically one of the most dominant in NBA history. A victory was always seen as a letdown for the Celtics, and now, with just four wins away from an impressive No. 18, they're on the cusp of greatness. The Celtics step into the 2024 NBA Finals as a strong contender against the Dallas Mavericks. While the Mavericks boast the league's top player, Boston has six of the top eight or nine players in the series. When Kristaps Porzingis is on the court, the Celtics are considered the best starting five in the league and the top two-way team in the league.
NBA Finals Predictions 2024
Scooby Axson
This could hinge on which pair performs superiorly: Kyrie and Luka versus Tatum and Brown. However, the key element remains Kristaps Porzingis. Should he manage to contribute significantly upon his return from a 10-game hiatus due to a calf injury, the Celtics ought to lift the No. 18 banner, as they are excessively deep and too strong.
Celtics in six
Cydney Henderson
The Celtics easily made their way to the NBA Finals, taking on the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers, all without the presence of key players like Jimmy Butler (Heat), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), and Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers). However, the Celtics will have to contend with a duo of superstars in Doncic and Irving. The series is expected to be tight, yet the Mavericks are equipped with the best defensive players to secure the win.
Mavericks in seven
Jeff Zillgitt
The Celtics possess an abundance of scoring tools and defensive strategies, making it unlikely for them to lose the championship unless their scoring efforts significantly decline over a prolonged period.
Reasons Celtics will win 2024 NBA Finals
-
The Celtics have the best 5-man lineup in the NBA
The Celtics severely dominated teams across the court throughout the season. Boston held the top spot in scoring, followed closely by defense and overall performance, respectively. Boston's primary lineup played in 1,293 games this year, scoring 12 points more than their opponents for every 100 possessions, as reported by Cleaning the Glass.
The Celtics secured the highest number of wins in the NBA, clinching 64 victories, which was 14 more than any other team in the East. Even if their journey to the playoffs was somewhat challenging, it's clear that the Celtics are not considered inexperienced going into the NBA Finals. They ruled the season from start to finish.
-
The Celtics can bury teams from three-point range
The Celtics are committed to making three-point shots in large numbers, and this strategy works well considering their roster is filled with excellent three-point shooters. This season, Boston shot 47.1 percent from beyond the arc, securing the top spot in the league. They also hit 38.8 percent of their three-pointers, placing second in the league. Throughout the season, Boston attempted 1,351 three-pointers, a total of 140 more than the second-place team, the Golden State Warriors.
-
The Celtics have no weak spots in their defense
The NBA Playoffs frequently become a battle of identifying the weakest defender, as their player is positioned to block your best player, allowing that player to dominate. Boston begins with four impressive on-court defenders and then is backed by a solid backcourt defender in Porzingis.
NBA Finals 2024 schedule
- June 7, Friday: Game 1, Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics – 10:30 AM
- June 10, Monday: Game 2, Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics – 10:00 AM
- June 13, Thursday: Game 3, Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks – 10:30 AM
- June 15, Saturday: Game 4, Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks – 10:30 AM
- June 18, Tuesday: Game 5, Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics – 10:30 AM
- June 21, Friday: Game 6, Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks – 10:30 AM
- June 24, Monday: Game 7, Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics – 10:00 AM
How to Watch NBA Finals 2024?
The NBA Finals sees the Dallas Mavericks facing off against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The first game is starting at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET.
NBA Finals Odds 2024
Boston Celtics
The Celtics controlled nearly every rival they faced throughout the regular season and playoffs. They were the sole team to secure over 60 victories in the regular season. Subsequently, they advanced to victory in every playoff series in five games or less, further solidifying their supremacy in the Eastern Conference. This is why they are considered the heavy favorites.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas demonstrated to the league the extent to which a team can enhance its performance through trades. From November to January, which is considered the middle of the season, the Mavericks were consistently close to .500 and securely in the playoff race – but not yet in the final positions. Following the trades, the Mavericks achieved a 21-9 record, ranking third in the NBA towards the end of the season. They clinched the Southwest Division title and rose to fifth in the conference, sidestepping the play-in tournament. Players like Washington and Gafford played crucial roles from the start.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum is the team's star, expected to take home the championship. He has driven Boston's offense with a 30-point average, grabbed rebounds at a rate of 10.4 per game, and added 5.9 assists per game this season, all while sitting in 40.5 minutes per game. Naturally, it's expected to see Tatum leading in the MVP rankings, even though he narrowly lost out to Brown for the title of Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
Luka Dončić
Tatum represents the star of the team, while Doncić embodies the underdog. He has also guided his team in scoring averages, managing to play 41.5 minutes on the court on average. In this period, he's close to achieving a 30-point triple-double, scoring 28.8 points, grabbing 9.6 rebounds, and dishing out 8.8 assists per game. Additionally, he tops the team in steals, with 1.6 per game.
Jaylen Brown
The MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and the Celtics' second-highest scorer for the year are also top contenders for the Finals MVP award. Brown has been on a stellar performance in the postseason, with standout moments like a crucial 3-pointer that forced Game 1 of the ECF into overtime and a playoff high of 40 points in Game 2 against the Pacers. Should he keep stepping up in crucial games to guide his team to victory, Brown has the potential to win another award for his postseason achievements.
Kyrie Irving
Irving exceeded all expectations in his inaugural season with the Mavericks. He achieved the second-highest field goal percentage and third-highest 3-point percentage in his career, all while averaging 35 minutes and 25.6 points per game. During the postseason, he has proven to be an essential second-string player, adept at creating opportunities and scoring from various positions on the court. Should the Mavericks secure the championship, it's highly probable that Irving's contributions will play a significant role, especially if Dončić isn't the star.
Derrick White
White has risen to the forefront as the Celtics' third-highest scorer this season while Porzingis has been on the sidelines. He has also taken charge of his team, posting a 6.4 assist to turnover ratio, exceeding the rate of the closest competitor (Al Horford, 3.0), by more than a factor of two. White scored 38 points in the Celtics' victory in Game 4 against the Heat in the first round, but has generally been playing with a subdued yet effective presence. He stands to receive Finals MVP honors with further impressive scoring displays, like in the first round, and by supporting his teammates, by strategically passing the ball to them while also minimizing mistakes.