The Dallas Mavericks are receiving a significant amount of support from bettors leading up to the NBA Finals. Despite being heavy underdogs with odds of +180, the Mavericks are capturing 85 percent of bets and 80 percent of the handle at BetMGM Sportsbook to win the series against the favored Celtics (-225).
In Game 1, the Mavericks are also gaining attention, with 65 percent of the handle on their side as 6.5-point underdogs and 85 percent of the handle on the moneyline at +200. This surge of support for Dallas is notable considering they enter the series as one of the biggest underdogs in recent NBA history.
Bettors have high expectations for Luka Doncic in this series. More than 90 percent of the money at BetMGM is on Doncic to be the leading scorer in the series, with no other player attracting more than 2.5 percent of the handle. Doncic is also the most bet player to win the series MVP, with 19.6 percent of the money and 16.3 percent of the tickets.
If the Mavericks can pull off an upset against the Celtics, they would join the ranks of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers as the third-biggest underdogs to win the NBA Finals. The only teams with longer odds were the 2019 Toronto Raptors (+230) and the 2004 Detroit Pistons (+500), according to SportsOddsHistory.com. This reflects the Mavericks’ long shot status that has persisted throughout the season.
It’s worth noting that Dallas is only the eighth team in the last 40 years to reach the finals after starting the season with odds of 25/1 or longer to win the championship. Therefore, a Mavericks victory would be considered one of the most unexpected in NBA history.
In fact, they would become the second-biggest preseason long shot since at least 1985 to win the title, only behind the 2015 Warriors who opened the season at +2800. This highlights the remarkable journey that the Mavericks have undertaken and the potential for a historic upset in the NBA Finals.
In conclusion, the Mavericks have garnered significant support from bettors as they face off against the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Despite being heavy underdogs, Dallas is capturing the majority of bets and handle at BetMGM Sportsbook. Luka Doncic is a particular favorite among bettors, with high expectations for his performance in the series. If the Mavericks can overcome the odds and defeat the Celtics, it would be a remarkable and unforeseen achievement in NBA history.
