Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets 6/1/2023 Analysis, Picks and Odds
NBA Finals – Game 1, Series starts 6/1
On Thursday night, the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets will square off in Ball Arena in the opening game of the 2023 NBA Finals. In their sixth NBA Finals since 2005, the eighth-seeded Heat is ranked fifth in offensive efficiency throughout the postseason. On Monday, Miami defeated Boston on the road 103-84 after taking an 11-point lead into halftime.
SF Jimmy Butler finished with a game-high 28 points on 12-for-28 shooting, seven rebounds, and six assists. Caleb Martin added 26 points (11-16 FG) and ten rebounds to maintain his impressive postseason performance. All-Star Center Bam Adebayo gave the Heat 12 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists.
The Miami Heat scored 111.7 on average while shooting 47.2 percent from the field, allowing 107.4 points on 45.7 percent of their shots. Bam Adebayo averages 16.8 points and 9.2 rebounds, compared to Jimmy Butler’s 28.5 points and seven rebounds. The third player in double figures is Caleb Martin, and Gabe Vincent is pulling down 1.7 rebounds per game. The Miami Heat make 80.4 percent of their free throws while shooting only 39 percent from beyond the arc. The Miami Heat are collecting 41 rebounds per game while only allowing 32.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
- The total remained UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last five games.
- The Miami Heat is 11-5 SU in their previous 16 matches.
- Miami is 0-6 ATS in their last six games against Denver.
- The Heat is 0-6 SU in their last six meetings with the Nuggets.
Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets 6/1/2023 Analysis, Picks and Odds
The Denver Nuggets are in the NBA Finals for the first time in their history, and they are the most offensively efficient team in the postseason. Through eight home playoff games, the top-seeded Nuggets are unbeaten and have won those games by an average of 12 points. Last time out, Denver won on the road 113-111 to complete a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Five Denver players scored in double digits, including two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. On 10-for-18 shooting, Jamal Murray scored 25 points while dishing out five assists. The Nuggets, who had a field goal percentage of 48 percent, were led by Aaron Gordon, who had 22 points and six rebounds.
The Denver Nuggets score 116.4 points on average while allowing 108.1 points on 47.2 percent of their shots. Jamal Murray averages 27.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic averages 29.9 points and 13.3 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is the third player in double figures, while Aaron Gordon pulls down 5.5 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are making 81.5 percent of their free throws and shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc. The Nuggets are collecting 44.2 rebounds per game while only allowing 34.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
- The total remained UNDER in 4 of Denver’s last six games.
- The Denver Nuggets are 6-0 SU in their last six games.
- The total went OVER in 5 of Denver’s last five meetings with Miami.
- The Nuggets are 10-0 SU in their last ten games at home.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets. The NBA pick for this game is the Denver Nuggets. SG Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat suffered a hand fracture during the initial game of the postseason and aimed to make a comeback in Game Three of the NBA Finals. Considering the challenging recovery time after a demanding seven-game series, this poses a difficult situation for the Heat. With their impressive size advantage, the Denver Nuggets will likely create difficulties for Miami and secure a comfortable victory in the series opener. As a result, my final score prediction is a 118-103 win in favor of the Denver Nuggets.
NBA Starting Time: 8:30 PM ET
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO
Date: Thursday, June 1, 2023
TV: ABC
NBA Odds: Denver Nuggets -8.5
NBA Totals: 219.5
