The 2024 NBA Finals are finally here, as the top-seeded Boston Celtics take on the No. 5-seeded Dallas Mavericks.
This is the first time these two teams have met in the Finals. To claim spots in the championship round, the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals and the Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the West.
The highly anticipated series will feature a dynamic duo matchup between Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown -- any of whom could claim Finals MVP. Kristaps Porzingis will also make his return to the court after suffering a right calf strain in the first round.
Which team will raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy later this month? Ahead of Thursday's Game 1 inside Boston's TD Garden (8:30 ET on ABC), our NBA experts are predicting the series outcome, including which superstar will take home NBA Finals MVP honors.
MORE: Finals schedule and news | Top 12 players of the postseason 
Boston Celtics (1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)
Kendra Andrews
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Kyrie Irving
Jerry Bembry
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Luka Doncic
Tim Bontemps
Celtics in 6
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Jamal Collier
Celtics in 6
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Israel Gutierrez
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Luka Doncic
Chris Herring
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Luka Doncic
Tim Legler
Mavericks in 7
MVP: Luka Doncic
Andrew Lopez
Celtics in 7
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Zach Lowe
Celtics in 6
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Bobby Marks
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Kyrie Irving
Dave McMenamin
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Luka Doncic
Kevin Pelton
Celtics in 7
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Omar Raja
Mavericks in 6
MVP: Luka Doncic
Ramona Shelburne
Celtics in 7
MVP: Jayson Tatum
André Snellings
Celtics in 7
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Marc J. Spears
Celtics in 7
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Ohm Youngmisuk
Mavericks in 7
MVP: Luka Doncic
Final tally
Winner: Mavericks 9, Celtics 8.
Series MVP: Jayson Tatum 8, Luka Doncic 7, Kyrie Irving 2.
