Betting public crushed after Celtics handle Mavericks in Game 1 of NBA Finals

The betting public was robbed in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. As a heavy road underdog ahead of the series opener, the Mavericks attracted a ton of action as a potential Celtics spoiler. They ended up barely making it a game. Dallas fell 107-89 to Boston, falling well short of covering the 6.5-point spread and far from winning the contest despite pregame betting interest far and wide, helping the sportsbooks clean up in the process. At ESPN BET, 67 percent of tickets and 49 percent of the money was on Dallas to cover the spread. Even more – 84 percent of tickets and 78 percent of the money – was on Mavericks moneyline (+205). BetMGM Sportsbook has its way with the betting public as well – more than three-quarters of bets and the money were on the Mavericks to win. FanDuel Sportsbook was no different. “Bettors are swarming to Dallas as the road underdogs have currently taken 80% of bets and 65% of (the) handle on the ML as well as 64% of bets and 60% of (the) handle on the spread,” a trader from the sportsbook told Ben Fawkes on X. The public was also all over the Mavericks to upset the Celtics in the series before Game 1. In the days leading up to the game, Dallas (+180) was garnering a massive 85 percent of bets and 80 percent of the handle at BetMGM Sportsbook to win the series over the Celtics, who were a -225 favorite. Betting on the NBA? Check out the best NBA betting sites Read our guide on how to bet on basketball Get the latest NBA Championship odds Use the North Carolina betting apps The Celtics are now a huge -420 favorite to win the series versus the Mavericks at +330 at FanDuel. Boston is once again favored in Game 2 on their home floor, laying seven points and -270 on the moneyline.