Mavericks are defying odds with their NBA Finals run

Post Action Betting

By Dylan Svoboda

Commercial content 21+.

The Mavericks are headed to the 2024 NBA Finals as a historic long shot. 

After opening at +2500, Dallas is just the eighth team in the last 40 years to make the finals after opening the season with 25/1 odds or longer to win the title, according to SportsOddsHistory.com.

The Mavericks, who missed the postseason last season, were decidedly outside the inner circle of contenders before opening night, tied with the Cavaliers and Grizzlies with the ninth-best championship odds at BetMGM Sportsbook. 

A championship in Dallas would turn out to be one of the most unforeseen in NBA history. 

If the Mavericks can upset the Celtics, they would become the second-biggest preseason long shot since at least 1985 to win the title behind the 2015 Warriors, who opened the season at +2800. 

The Dirk Nowitzki-led 2011 Mavericks were the second-biggest preseason long shot to win the title over that period at +2000. 

Just a few months ago, Dallas’ chances looked even more grim than when the season started.

At one point midseason, the Mavericks’ championship chances in the eyes of sportsbooks nearly doubled. 

A mid-winter swoon dropped their championship odds to +4800 — the 12th-best in basketball — on Feb. 1.

But trade deadline deals for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford turned their season around. 

After dropping to 26-23 in early February, the Mavericks went 24-9 down the stretch with their new additions, vaulting them back into the championship conversation. 

Betting on the NBA?

The Celtics, on the other hand, have been heavy title favorites nearly all season. 

They came in at +400 — tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best title odds — before quickly taking over favorite status a few weeks into the season. 

Boston has opened as a moderate -210 favorite at DraftKings in the finals over Dallas, who came in at +180.