The NBA Finals has already produced more drama than some thought this matchup was capable of. After a dreadful Game 1, the Miami Heat injected life into the series by knocking down more than 50 percent of their 3-pointers in Game 2 to steal a game on the road. What that means is the Denver Nuggets will need to win at least one game in South Beach to win the title.
That opens up some interesting new avenues for NBA Finals prop bets. It’s always hard to find value when it comes to betting on players to win MVP awards. Usually, the team’s top superstar brings home a lion’s share of the awards.
Here’s a look at some of the NBA odds on some prop bets that are still available for the series.
Miami’s Game 2 win shifts perspective
The Heat grabbing a road win seems to have observers thinking that this series is destined to go longer than originally thought. People making NBA picks will see that Miami is now +225 to win the series. Top-seeded Denver is -286 to win its first-ever championship.
Anyone looking deeper into NBA Finals prop bets will see that the spread for Denver to win by 1.5 games is now priced +110 for the Nuggets. Anyone looking to bet Miami +1.5 can get the Heat at -148.
Jokic still tops for MVP
While Denver is still letdown from the Game 2 loss, center Nikola Jokic has shine on the big stage. The reason Jokic is still one of the more heavily priced NBA Finals prop bets is due to the statistical output he has been pumping out. Jokic is averaging 34 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game through two games.
That is no surprise from the former two-time former league MVP. However, despite strong NBA player stats, Jokic will need to find ways to get his teammates involved. Miami is trying to dare Jokic to score, which usually stagnates Denver’s offense.
Adebayo may be worth a flyer
The Heat center is still priced way down on the list from Jokic and Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, but it’s hard to argue that Adebayo hasn’t been one of Miami’s most important contributors to this series. Bam Adebayo is averaging 23.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His passing may be one of the most important factors in this series.
Jokic doesn’t have the foot speed to play this as one of the more tight-guarded NBA matchups. That gives Adebayo a chance to scan the defense and make plays.
Can Denver cool Miami’s shooting?
Teams on the NBA schedule didn’t worry about Miami beating them from the 3-point line in the regular season. The Heat were 27th in the league in long-range shooting. However, Miami has run hot in the playoffs. After shooting poorly in Game 1, the Heat rebounded by shooting 48.6 percent (17-of-35) from the 3-point line in Game 2.
Miami did struggle in Game 1. The Heat, however, are capable of big nights and have an excellent defensive system for stopping Denver. Betting Miami to go over on 3-pointers made at home in Game 3 may be worth a shot.
Murray bounce back game
Denver will need to see Jamal Murray’s scoring go up if the Nuggets want to hit one NBA Finals prop bets. Murray was fantastic in Game 1, but stumbled with teh rest of Denver’s support case in Game 2. Murray was held to 18 points, and that was only due to a barrage of 3-pointers in the waning minutes.
Anyone making NBA picks today will know that Denver will be expecting more from Murray. Michael Porter Jr. was also limited to five points for the Nuggets.
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