2023 NBA Finals Preview: Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Odds & Predictions
It’s a matchup few saw coming. The Western Conference’s top seed, Denver Nuggets, will be taking on the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed, Miami Heat, in the 2023 NBA Finals. Against all odds, this gritty Miami team has fought its way through the postseason, pulling off upset after upset. Can they keep their Cinderella story alive against the dominant Nuggets?
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
2023 NBA Finals Preview: Nuggets vs. Heat
Game 1: Thursday, June 1, at 8:30 p.m. EST
The Nuggets: A Juggernaut Rolls On
The Nuggets, entering the finals with -350 odds, are favorites to secure their first-ever NBA title. They’ve dominated their path to the Finals, breezing past formidable opposition in just 15 games. The Nuggets’ run is largely credited to the incredible form of Nikola Jokic. The two-time regular-season MVP is currently averaging 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and an impressive 10.3 assists per game, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 56-year-old record with eight triple-doubles this postseason.
Supporting Jokic is Jamal Murray, who’s been on a scoring tear, posting nearly 28 points per game during the playoffs, significantly higher than his regular-season average. Together with Aaron Gordon, they’ve also been formidable on the defensive end.
The Nuggets are 12-3 in the postseason and have been invincible at home, posting an 8-0 record. Given their dominance, it’s clear why they are favorites heading into the Finals.
The Heat: The Underdogs Continue to Defy
Coming in as +280 underdogs, the Heat have beaten the odds throughout the playoffs with a series of stunning upsets over higher-ranked opponents. The story of their journey to the Finals has been one of resilience and grit.
After a rocky start in the postseason, including a loss in the 7-vs-8 play-in game to the Hawks, Miami has consistently rallied back. They overcame the favored Bucks in five games, knocked out the Knicks in six, and bested the mighty Celtics in an epic seven-game Eastern Conference Finals series.
Jimmy Butler, with his average of 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and a team-high 5.7 assists per game, has been instrumental in Miami’s run. Supporting Butler are players like Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, and Duncan Robinson, who have consistently stepped up in the face of adversity.
Bottom Line
The Nuggets’ dominance this postseason is significant, but the Heat’s journey is a testament to their resilience. The Nuggets’ home-court advantage could also play a crucial role; though home/road games haven’t meant much to the Heat this postseason, they haven’t dealt with anything like the Colorado altitude yet. Denver will also have a significant rest advantage. Will Miami’s experience be enough to overcome the odds against it? We’ll find out on Thursday, June 1, when the Finals begin.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
AI was used to assist with this article.