Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals is set for Wednesday night, and the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a must-win situation.
The Boston Celtics lead the series 2-0 after winning Games 1 and 2 at TD Garden, and the Mavericks are desperate to avoid falling behind 0-3 in the series. No team in NBA playoff history has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win (0-156 overall, 0-14 in the Finals), and only four teams have forced a Game 7 in those 156 series.
The Mavericks are back at the American Airlines Center, and while a home game isn't dramatically better than an away game in the playoffs, the excitement of a Finals game in Dallas should provide some encouragement, especially for Kyrie Irving, who struggled offensively in his first two games against the Celtics.
But the Celtics are 6-0 on the road in the playoffs, so the Mavericks can't rely on home-court advantage and Dallas will need to play its best game in the series.
USA TODAY Sports will bring you the latest updates, highlights and analysis from Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
What time is Game 3 of the NBA Finals?
The Celtics-Mavericks game is scheduled to begin at 8:30pm ET on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
How to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals
ABC will broadcast every game of the 2024 NBA Finals.
How to stream Game 3 of the NBA Finals
Every game of the 2024 NBA Finals will be streamed on ESPN+ or Fubo.
Below are predictions from USA TODAY Sports' NBA experts for Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals.
NBA Finals Odds
According to BetMGM, the odds of the Celtics beating the Mavericks to win the NBA championship are -800, with Dallas at +550.
NBA Finals MVP Odds
According to BetMGM:
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +145
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics: +145
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks: +600
- Jrue Holiday, Celtics: +650
Boston leads the series 2-0
- Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
- Game 2: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98
- Wednesday, June 12: Game 3 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Friday, June 14: Game 4 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- *Monday, June 17: Game 5 at Boston, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
- *Thursday, June 20: Game 6 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
- *Sunday, June 23: Game 7 at Boston, 8 p.m. on ABC
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