2023 NBA Finals Heat vs. Nuggets Game 2 Odds and Analysis

NBA Western Conference Champion Denver started their quest for the NBA Finals trophy with a nice 104-93 Game 1 victory. The Nuggets hope to keep the good times rolling when Denver hosts Miami for Game 2 on Sunday. The Heat believe they have what it takes to even the series.

Which NBA conference titlist prevails? Check out NBA Finals odds, analysis, and a free pick for Miami at Denver Game 2.

NBA Finals Game 2 Odds and Analysis | MyBookie Basketball Betting Preview

2023 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV
When: Sunday, June 4 at 8:00 pm ET
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
ATS Odds: Denver -8.5
Money Line: Miami +295 / Denver -390
Over Under Total: 214.5

Why bet on Miami versus Denver?

The Miami Heat didn’t play a well as they would have liked in Game 1. But the Heat still managed to keep the Nuggets’ victory to an 11 point Heat loss.

Not only that, but Jimmy Butler scored just 13 on his way to a 13-7-7 stat line. There’s no way Playoff Jimmy doesn’t pick it up in Game 2.

So if Bam Adebayo is as effective scoring against Nikola Jokic in the second contest, and Butler picks it up, the Heat will have a chance to win straight up, in addition to covering a close to 9-point spread.

Miami Heat Offensive Averages

Points/G: 109.5
FG %: 46.0
3PT %: 34.4
FT %: 83.1
Rebounds/G: 40.6

Miami Heat Defensive Averages

Points/G: 109.8
FG %: 48.2
3PT %: 36.7
FT %: 78.1
Rebounds/G: 41.8

Why bet on Denver versus Miami?

The Denver Nuggets can beat you in a number of ways. The team doesn’t just rely on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

In Game 1, Jokic dominated, yes, and Murray scored 26, but others also contributed. Aaron Gordon scored 16. Michael Porter Jr. scored 14 and grabbed 13 boards. Bruce Brown dropped 10 from off the bench.

The reason Jokic racks up assists is because if you try to shut down Nikola’s scoring, he dishes it to players like Porter Jr., Bruce Brown, and Aaron Gordon.

Denver Nuggets Offensive Averages

Points/G: 115.8
FG %: 50.4
3PT %: 37.9
FT %: 75.1
Rebounds/G: 43.0

Denver Nuggets Defensive Averages

Points/G: 112.5
FG %: 47.8
3PT %: 34.4
FT %: 77.5
Rebounds/G: 40.8

Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat Relevant Trends

Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on a Sunday
Miami is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games on the road
Under is 5-0 in the Heat’s last 5 games
Nuggets are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games
Denver is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS win
Over is 6-1 in the Nuggets’ last 7 games versus a team with a winning straight up record

Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets Betting Analysis

Miami is the smaller and more tired squad. Because of that, the Heat are up against it in this series.

With that being written, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is a master strategist. Spoelstra employed a zone defense during Game 1 that helped Miami cut the lead to less than 10 at one point.

Not only that, but Miami took more shots than Denver from both behind the three-point line and from the field. What that tells us is the Heat got more possessions than the Nuggets. Miami just didn’t convert.

In addition, the Heat’s three-point defense was fantastic. It held Denver to 30%. So if Miami can pick up the defensive pressure inside the three-point line, who knows?

Spoelstra will have a strategy that unleashes Jimmy Butler. The Heat know that if Jimmy B. had been himself, they would have gotten close to winning straight up. Denver should win the second game, but it’s going to be much closer than the spread indicates. Miami is the ATS pick.

NBA Game 1 Pick: Miami Heat +8.5 | Bet Heat vs. Nuggets Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

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