The 2024 NBA Finals are set! Only two teams remain standing in the postseason as the best-of-seven series between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks tips off on June 6 (watch every game on ABC and the ESPN app).
The Celtics clinched the Eastern Conference by sweeping the Indiana Pacers, continuing a postseason run where they’ve also ousted the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston now eyes its 18th NBA Finals championship and returns to the series after losing in 2022 to the Golden State Warriors.
The Mavericks are back in the NBA Finals since winning the franchise’s only title in 2011 after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves to claim the Western Conference. Dallas also eliminated the LA Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder before taking down the Timberwolves.
As the team with the better regular season record, Boston has home court advantage for the series. The series is played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the Celtics hosting Games 1 and 2, with the Mavs hosting Games 3 and 4. If necessary, Boston will host Games 5 and 7, with Dallas hosting Game 6.
Follow along for latest news, updates, highlights and more.
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Game 1: Thursday, June 6 at Boston, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 2: Sunday, June 9 at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 3: Wednesday, June 12 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 4: Friday, June 14 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 5*: Monday, June 17 at Boston. 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 6*: Thursday, June 20 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 7*: Sunday, June 23 at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
*If necessary
All NBA Finals games will air on ABC and ESPN Radio. They will also be streamed on the ESPN app.
The Boston Celtics enter the Finals with home-court advantage over the Dallas Mavericks. Boston finished with a 64-18 regular season record, the best in the Eastern Conference and overall in the NBA. Dallas finished with a 50-32 record, the fifth best in the Western Conference.
Final 2023-24 NBA regular-season standings
Here is a look at how both teams have fared in past trips to the NBA Finals:
The Boston Celtics have 23 NBA Finals appearances, with 17 championships. The 17 titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for most in NBA history. Before this season, the Celtics’ last Finals appearance was in 2022 (losing to the Golden State Warriors) and their most recent championship was in 2008 (defeating the Lakers).
The Dallas Mavericks have three NBA Finals appearances. Before this season, their most recent appearance — and only championship — was in 2011 when they defeated the Miami Heat. The Mavs reached the 2006 NBA Finals, losing to the Heat.
Check out which team has the best odds, as well as for who’ll win the NBA Finals MVP.
For the most current odds go to ESPN BET
