2024 NBA Finals MVP odds update after Boston's Game 1 rout

Coming off a 10-day break, the Boston Celtics looked well-rested in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, as they kicked off the series with a 107-89 beatdown of the Dallas Mavericks inside TD Garden.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum tallied 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting and added 11 rebounds, five assists, and a block in 42 minutes of play. The veteran small forward opened as the odds-on choice to win the 2024 NBA Finals MVP ahead of Game 1 and remains the favorite following Thursday night's result, but his odds to win the award increased to +120, while Jaylen Brown moved into the second spot on the odds board, at +310.

Jump on value with Brown for Finals MVP

Brown led Boston with 22 points on Thursday and shot 7-of-12 from the field in 37 minutes of game action. He also grabbed six boards, dished out two assists, and recorded three steals and three blocks. The shooting guard has scored at least 20 points in each of his last five games, and he matched a playoff career high in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals when he racked up 40 points in a 126-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Brown's overall performance in the Eastern Conference Finals earned him the Larry Bird Trophy as the ECF's Most Valuable Player. Tatum was named conference finals MVP in 2022, the inaugural year of the award, but Brown received five of nine votes for this year's honor after he averaged 29.8 points on 52% shooting and five rebounds per contest of the ECF. Tatum collected the other four votes.

Brown could snag the NBA Finals MVP as well if he continues to light up the scoreboard. The only player who accounted for more points on Thursday was on the losing team, and if you think the Mavericks can turn it around in Game 2 then it's the perfect time to back Game 1's leading scorer.

Dallas will live and die by Doncic

With 30 points (12-of-26 from the field), Luka Doncic led all scorers in Game 1 and posted a double-double with 10 defensive rebounds. The five-time NBA All-Star has been key to the Mavs' run in the postseason and collected the Magic Johnson Trophy as the 2024 Western Conference Finals MVP after he averaged 32.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 9.6 rebounds per game in a 4-1 series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The next-highest scorer for Dallas in Game 1 of the NBA Finals was P.J. Washington, with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Point guard Kyrie Irving struggled in the road contest, going 6-of-19 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3-point land to total just 12 points. He was also responsible for two of the Mavericks' nine assists on the night.

While Dallas got demolished in the series opener, the Mavs are no stranger to bouncing back from a Game 1 loss. The team has lost the opening contest in three of its four series in the 2024 postseason. The Mavs have also won Game 2 in each series so far. 

There's no doubt Dallas can turn it around quickly, and Doncic will be the one hoisting the Finals MVP trophy should the Mavs pull off victory. His +350 odds offer value at the moment (he was listed at +200 prior to Game 1), so Mavs bettors should be swift to back him for Finals MVP before the odds fluctuate following Game 2.

How to watch the 2024 NBA Finals

The Celtics remain at home for the second game of the series, before the Mavericks get home-court advantage in Games 3 and 4. Below is the remaining schedule for the 2024 NBA Finals.

Game 2: Sunday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET — Dallas at Boston 
Game 3: Wednesday, June 12, 8:30 p.m. ET — Boston at Dallas
Game 4: Friday, June 14, 8:30 p.m. ET — Boston at Dallas
Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 17 8:30 p.m. ET — Dallas at Boston
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 20, 8:30 p.m. ET— Boston at Dallas
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 23, 8 p.m. ET — Dallas at Boston