Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Player Prop Pick: Can Al Horford Make an Impact in NBA Finals Game 3?
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Player Prop Pick: Can Al Horford Make an Impact in NBA Finals Game 3?
The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics meet in Game 3 of the NBA Finals tonight from the American Airlines Center in Dallas. It will be the first home game for the Mavericks in the Finals and they desperately need to win behind their home crowd as they find themselves down 0–2 in the series.
They did not look as competitive in Game 1, losing 107–89, but they looked much better in Game 2, keeping the game close until the end and losing 105–98. Luka Doncic has been incredible in this series, but he will need some help in this game if the Mavericks want to bounce back and make this a competitive series. What should we expect tonight?
CELTICS VS. MAVERICKS GAME 3 DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: June 12, 2024
- Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
BOSTON CELTICS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS GAME 3 PREDICTION
The player I am targeting in this game is Boston Celtics Center, Al Horford. Horford is a longtime veteran of the NBA and has been in the league since 2007. He is in his second stint with the Celtics and has been a key role player for them off the bench this year behind the electric Kristaps Porzingis.
While Porzingis missed some time earlier in the playoffs with an injury, he came back in Game 1 of the Finals and was able to play in Games 1 and 2 before suffering a lower leg injury again late in Game 2. Porzingis is now questionable for Game 3 and it looks like even if he does play, he will not be nearly 100%. With this wrinkle thrown into the Celtics' game plan, I expect Al Horford’s role to increase a bit more as it did when Porzingis was out earlier in the playoffs.
The way I am betting Al Horford tonight is to go over 16.5 points and rebounds. In 29 games played without Porziņģis this year, Al Horford hit this line in 16 of them, or 55%. If Porzingis cannot suit up tonight, Al Horford should get the start in his spot and could play Into the mid-30s in minutes. He hit this line in game one with 17 points and rebounds in 30 minutes on 4–8 shooting and seven rebounds. Horford played two games against the Mavericks in the regular season and hit this line in both of them.
He also has a great matchup against this Dallas team that has given up the fourth most three-pointers to centers in the NBA this year. Horford is a great perimeter shooter for a big man and has shot 35% from three in the postseason so far. I expect him to nail a few threes tonight and grab at least 7–8 rebounds en route to hitting 17 or more combined points plus rebounds. With Porzingis injured once again, Horford must step up as the big man if the Celtics want to take a commanding 3–0 series lead tonight.
BOSTON CELTICS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS GAME 3 Player PROP PICK
Pick: Al Horford Over 16.5 Points + Rebounds -115 CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH SPORTSBOOK HAS THE BEST ODDS
Al Horford SYSTEM PROJECTIONS - JUNE 12 VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS
— Wednesday, June 12th Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
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Article Author
Ben Rajavuori is a handicapper out of Minneapolis, MN. He has been creating sports content for almost four years now and is an expert in all things NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, and NCAAB. Ben thrives on diving deep into statistics to find the best angle on every bet. You can follow him on Twitter @WeBeatTheSpread.