Mavericks vs Celtics Public Betting Splits & Money Percentages for Game 2 – Public Heavily Backing the Over AGAIN

• After dominating Game 1, the Boston Celtics are seven-point favorites in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks
• The Mavericks vs Celtics public-betting splits for Game 2 show the majority of ATS handle on Dallas for the second straight game
• See all the Game 2 Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics public-betting splits and money percentages on June 9, 2024

A dominant Game 1 performance (107-89) by the Boston Celtics wasn’t enough to sway the public when it comes to the Mavericks vs Celtics public-betting splits for Game 2 on Sunday, June 9, at TD Garden in Boston (8:10 pm ET tipoff).

The public is – for the second straight game – heavily backing Dallas against the spread as a big road underdog.

DAL Mavericks vs BOS Celtics Betting Percentages for Game 2

The current NBA public betting splits for Game 2 show the Mavericks getting 61% of ATS handle as seven-point underdogs (up half a point from Game 1, when they were 6.5-point road ‘dogs). The Mavs are getting 61% of ATS handle on just 52% of the bets, as well, indicating the bigger wagers are also on Dallas to cover the spread.

Public Once Again Hammering the Over in DAL vs BOS Game 2

One of the more surprising numbers on the board in the Game 2 splits is the total. Game 1 stayed under its total of 214.5 by 18.5 points, yet the total for Game 2 remains unchanged and the public is once again hammering the over, currently putting 82% of handle and 86% of wagers on over 214.5. Both teams had hit five overs in their past six games entering the series, but Dallas only managed 43 first-half points on Thursday, which effectively doomed over bettors.

Luka Doncic (30 points) was the only Maverick with more than 14 in Game 1 and he only managed a season-low one assists as his team shot 41.7% from the field against Boston’s second-rated defense (110.6 Defensive Rating in the regular season, 107.8 D-Rating in the playoffs).

Another factor that should give over bettors pause is the teams’ pace. Both squads have drastically slowed their pace of play in the playoffs, with Boston dropping from 97.98 in the regular season to just 92.52 in the postseason, and Dallas slowing from 100.60 to 93.61 in the playoffs.

Celtics Moneyline Remains the Play for the Public in Game 2 Splits

While the public is backing Dallas against the spread, betting the Mavs to win straight-up in Boston is a bridge too far. Boston, which is an absurd 44-6 at home this season (including playoffs), is currently getting 58% of moneyline handle as -250 favorites. (That’s the best current price on the C’s, who are as short as -260 at Caesars Sportsbook).

The 42% of money backing Dallas to win straight-up does have some solid recent history on its side: not only did Boston drop Game 2 at home to both the Miami Heat in round one and the Cleveland Cavaliers in round two, the Mavericks have yet to lose back-to-back games in the playoffs. They have also responded to every straight-up loss with an ATS victory.