The Dallas Mavericks would be the second-biggest preseason long shot to win the NBA title in 35 years -- and the betting public believes they'll do it.
Approximately 80% of the bets placed this week at U.S. sportsbooks have been on the Mavericks to upset the Boston Celtics, who are only the third Eastern Conference champions to be favored in the Finals in the last 24 years.
The Celtics were -225 favorites at ESPN BET, on Thursday ahead of Game 1 in Boston, with the Mavericks listed as +180 underdogs in the series.