Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 01/06/2023, 09:20  by Joseph King | Modified on 01/06/2023 at 12:30 in NBA Prediction

The 2023 NBA Finals gets underway with game one of this best-of-seven duel between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat. The top-seeded Nuggets are making their first ever Finals appearance while the Heat return to this stage for the second time in the past four seasons.

Denver has been the dominant force in this postseason, never needing more than six games to dispose of their opponents. The Nuggets sport the best player in the game at the moment in Nikola Jokic who is averaging a triple-double in these playoffs. Behind the stellar play of Jokic, Denver was able to complete a 4-0 sweep over the LeBron James led Lakers in the Conference Finals. The hosts also have the significant advantage of playing game one in front of their home crowd. Denver boasts a league best 42-7 record in the regular season and playoffs combined at the Pepsi Center. Not only that but the Nuggets also have a clear rest advantage with 10 days now having passed since they last took to the court.

Miami have made history by becoming only the second ever eight-seed to make the NBA Finals. They almost suffered the ignominy of becoming the first ever team to blow a 3-0 series lead in their Conference Finals clash against the Celtics. However, Jimmy Butler and company would hold their nerve in game seven in a hostile TD Garden in Boston and walk away with a 103-84 win.  This is a difficult spot for the Heat. Team’s historically struggle in the first game of a new series after coming off a game seven win. Not only do the visitors have that working against them, they’ll also have to contend with the NBA’s biggest home court advantage in the high Denver altitude.