NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Celtics vs. Mavericks (Finals Game 3)

This series feels over to me. I had Boston in five games coming in, and nothing changed my mind during the first two games. Dallas needed to escape with a win in Game 2 because of how poorly Boston played, but it felt like they never really had a legitimate chance. That shows the difference between these two teams, and I expect the Celtics to close things out in short order. The Mavericks should be able to squeak out one of these home games, but it would be difficult to see the Celtics lose a closeout game at home in Game 5.

With that said, let’s dive into this Game 3 slate! Here are our NBA DFS picks for Game 3 between the Mavericks and Celtics.

View tonight’s best player prop bets with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for tonight’s slate.

NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Primer

Schedule and Odds

• BOS at DAL (DAL -1.5) O/U: 212

Check out our consensus game odds and the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.

Injury Report

• Kristaps Porzingis (leg) Questionable

NBA DFS Picks: Core Plays

Jaylen Brown (SG/SF – BOS): $9,800 DraftKings, $14,000 FanDuel
It’s unclear who will win Finals MVP, but Brown has to be one of the frontrunners. The All-Star has been all over the floor in this series, scoring at least 45 DraftKings points in four of his last five fixtures. He’s also averaging 47 fantasy points per game in that span and should continue to slice through this defensively inept backcourt. In four matchups with the Mavs this season, JB has at least 44 DK points in all of those!

Jrue Holiday (PG/SG – BOS): $7,000 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
Holiday was the best player for Boston in Game 2, collecting 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists on 11-of-14 shooting. The only player with a ring in this series has showcased that experience throughout the postseason, scoring at least 32 DraftKings points in eight of his last nine outings. He’s also got a 37-point average in that superb stretch, but it’s no surprise since guys like Brown and Jayson Tatum are drawing all the attention.

NBA DFS Picks: Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $13,800 DraftKings, $17,500 FanDuel
Doncic is going to need some help from his Dallas teammates if this series is going to extend much longer. The superstar has been the best player on the floor, scoring at least 60 DraftKings points in eight of his last nine outings. More importantly, the Slovenian has established a 50-point floor, averaging nearly 70 fantasy points per game. There’s no safer bet for 50-70 fantasy points on any slate, let alone a single-game one! He has at least 74 DK points in three of his four matchups with the Celtics this season.

Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $11,600 DraftKings, $15,000 FanDuel
JT couldn’t buy a shot in Game 2, but he still had a fantastic fantasy outing. The All-Star finished one rebound shy of a triple-double, scoring at least 39 DraftKings points in all 16 playoff games. Tatum is also averaging 50 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 57 fantasy points in six of his last nine outings. It’s scary to think he can be this productive without shooting well, which means a 70-point game could be on the horizon when he eventually gets hot.

NBA DFS Picks: GPP Targets

Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – BOS): $8,000 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
Porzingis has been limited in his return from a calf issue, but his workload rises each time he steps on the floor. The Latvian dropped 34 DraftKings points across 21 minutes in Game 1 and had 25 DK points across 23 minutes in Game 2. We have to assume he’ll be ready for 25-plus minutes here, and this elite per-minute producer can score 30-40 fantasy points in that type of role. It’s risky since we know his upside and minutes are capped, but it’s a worthy risk in a GPP! IF KP sits, Al Horford is one of the best options on the slate!

Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $5,000 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
Gafford was the Mavs’ second-best player in the second half of Game 2, finishing with 13 points and nine rebounds. We saw this guy average over 30 fantasy points per game as a starter during the regular season and flirt with a 40-point average when he played over 25 minutes. He seems to be stuck in a 20-25-minute workload right now, but he can still record a double-double with that type of opportunity.

Value Plays

Derrick White (PG/SG – BOS): $7,400 DraftKings, $11,000 FanDuel
White has developed into one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and he’s been incredible in this postseason run. The feisty guard has scored at least 37 DraftKings points in six of his last seven outings. He’s also got a 35-point average in his previous three matchups with Dallas and benefits from JT and JB swallowing up so much attention. Boston will keep White out there for 40 minutes with all the effort plays he makes, which makes him a heck of a value in this price range.

PJ Washington (PF/C – DAL): $6,200 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
Dallas was giving Washington a ton of offensive opportunities in Game 2, and that’s been a trend throughout the playoffs. The former Charlotte forward has at least 26 DraftKings points in eight of his last 11 fixtures, generating a 31-point average in that span. More importantly, he’s locked into 40 minutes and double-digit shots, getting tons of opportunities because of all the attention Doncic and Kyrie Irving are drawing in. If the Mavs are going to hang around in this series, Washington needs to be a 20-10 threat.

Advantageous Pricing

• Jrue Holiday (PG/SG – BOS): $7,000 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
• Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – BOS): $8,000 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
• Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $5,000 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel

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