The Denver Nuggets have the best player in basketball, Nikola Jokić, Paired with a dynamic number two in Jamal Murray. And steamrolled through the Western Conference putting the Nuggets on the precipice of their first NBA Championship in franchise history.
While Jimmy Butler is right to state the Miami Heat aren’t an eighth seed. The facts are that the Heat were the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and minutes away from being eliminated from the play-in tournament. This only makes the Heat’s playoff run to the NBA Finals more impressive.
With an unexpected matchup finally set and the NBA schedule set, we’ll review the stats, trends, both teams’ playoff journey, and the NBA Finals odds to get you ready for game one on June 1st.
Odds to Win the 2023 NBA Finals
Since sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, NBA predictions and futures bets have heavily favored the Denver Nuggets over whoever they faced from the Eastern Conference.
Here is the range of NBA Finals odds found in most sportsbooks.
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets Information
Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets
Location of the game: Ball Arena, Denver Colorado (Games 1,2,5,&7)
Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida (Games 3,4,&6)
Date & Time: Game 1 – June 1st | Game 7 (if necessary) June 18th
How to watch: ABC, NBA League Pass, fuboTV
Click here to dive into our BetUs Review
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Denver won both head-to-head matchups this season. Winning 124-119 at home on December 30th and 112-108 in Miami on February 13th. Both games cleared the over, with the lowest total points line being 217.5 points.
Denver has a 42-7 home record, while Miami has a 23-28 road record. Miami has a 6-4 road record in the playoffs, while Denver is 8-0 at home.
Miami Heat
NBA predictions ending Miami Heat’s season have failed round after round. While Miami has depth issues due to injury. They are getting big performances from the likes of Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martine. While Max Strus has had his moments.
If Tyler Herro can return from a hand injury, he’ll give Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and company the much-needed ball-handling. Facilitating skilled point guard they haven’t had on the floor in the 2023 playoffs.
And Miami isn’t a typical eighth seed: The Heat have played in three of the previous four Eastern Conference Finals and lost their most recent NBA Finals appearance in 2020.
The Miami Heat are averaging 111.7 ppg on 47.2% shooting from the field. 39% on three-point attempts, and making 80.4% of their free-throws. Miami is averaging 9.1 offensive rebounds and 31.9 defensive rebounds per game in the playoffs. They are averaging 7.4 steals and 4.6 blocks per game.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have a clear advantage in NBA team stats. The Nuggets are averaging 116.4 ppg on 49.0% shooting from the field, 38.6% on three-point attempts, and converting on 81.5% of their free-throws. The Nuggets are averaging 44.2 rpg, 7.1 steals, and 4.8 blocks.
Nikola Jokić leads either team in NBA player stats, averaging a triple-double in the playoffs, with 29.9 ppg, 13.3 rpg, and 10.3 apg.
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Picks
The difficulty in making our NBA picks is betting against the domination of Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets and picking against the magic run of the Miami Heat.
However, the NBA Finals odds are set where they are for a reason: Denver is the more complete team, while Miami’s depth and rotation will be tested by the Nuggets’ defense.
Despite loving the Heat’s 2023 playoff run, we’re taking the Denver Nuggets to win the NBA Finals in six games.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.