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. The Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, while the Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the West to claim spots in the championship round.

The highly anticipated series will feature a dynamic duo matchup between Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown -- any of which 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.