Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat Predictions

Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat at NBA Finals Game 1

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
When: Thursday, June 1, 8:30 PM ET

It all came down to two teams, the West champions, Denver Nuggets, and the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat. These two units had a remarkable trip to the NBA Finals, each in its way. Denver was better than the Timberwolves, the top favorites for the title, the Phoenix Suns, and eventually the Lakers, whom they swept in the West Finals. Meanwhile, the Heat lost the first play-in game, and after that, eliminated the top seed in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, and at last, the Boston Celtics in seven games.

Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat – NBA Finals 2023 – Game 1

Denver Nuggets

Everything in Denver revolves around Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the league in the past three years. He was short of winning his third MVP in a row, all because of the media pressure to give the award to Joel Embiid. Not long after, everyone saw that such a decision was terrible.

The Joker averages a triple-double in 15 playoff games. He drops nearly 30 points, 13.3 points, and 10.3 assists. Jamal Murray scores 27.7 buckets, and he finally looks like the player who harassed the league before his knee injury.

Denver averages 116.4 points in the playoffs, which is very good considering the intensity on the defensive side. They showed composure and flexibility against the LA Lakers and their ability to play very tough defense when needed.

Miami Heat

The Heat came here after beginning the playoffs with a loss in the play-in tournament. In the East Finals, they had a 3-0 lead over the Celtics, who then came back to force Game 7 at home in Boston, where Miami exploded once again to win 103-84.

It was by far the most interesting matchup of the entire playoffs, but in the end, the Heat prevailed to earn a victory and proceed to the NBA Finals. Even though Jimmy Butler seems as the leader of the unit, the Heat is an example of teamwork.

Butler averages 28.5 points per game, while six more players have nine or more buckets each night and play more than 18 minutes. That’s without Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, who picked up injuries short into the playoffs.

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Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat Head to Head

Denver was better in both direct encounters this season, winning 124-119 in Colorado and 112-108 at the Miami-Dade Arena.

Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat – NBA Finals 2023 – Game 1 Predictions

Denver didn’t lose a single game at home in the playoffs, and we don’t expect to see them doing that on Thursday night. They had more time to prepare for the Finals and are much healthier than the Heat, who just came out of a seven-game war against the Celtics.

Our verdict: Denver Nuggets win