UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
With the NBA 2023 Playoffs at full swing and already producing some major shocks we decided to give you our view on things before the destined to be historic NBA Finals between the Nuggets and the Heat begin. As well as, some useful NBA Playoffs Betting Tips. We will start with the big picture and boldly state our claim about who will win the title and each Conference even before the playoffs begin.
NBA Playoffs Predictions
Contents
We start our NBA Playoff Betting Predictions with some outright free tips for you:
NBA Champions
With many’s main favourits the Milwaukee Bucks knocked out shockingly in round 1 the race for the 2023 NBA title became even more unpredictable. In any case, whoever lifts the title new NBA History will be written. Denver Nuggets are the big favourites but this will be their first-ever Finals experience in franchise history. The Heat became only the second 8th seed to reach the NBA Finals after the 1999 Knicks. If they are to defy the odds again and win the title they will be the first 8th seed to do so in the entire history of the league.
We think that the Denver Nuggets, despite contesting their first-ever NBA Finals in the franchise history might be able to win the title too. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been playing some excellent basketball. The Nuggets are deep and have other key contributors too. Of course, they have a huge fitness advantage too after resting for long thanks to their 4-0 sweep over the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Undoubtedly, Jokic and Co will be pumped up. Murray showed in the bubble in 2020 that when he is fit, just like he is now, he can take on any defence when Jokic is having a rare off night. So, could this finally be Denver’s year?
Photo by Icon Sport
Conference Champions
The Eastern Conference was won only for the second time in NBA history by the 8th-seed Miami Heat. The Heat beat the team with the best record during the regular season and pre-playoff favourites to win it all Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in round 1. Then they edged the 5th seed Knicks 4-2 and in an epic Eastern Conference finals beat the 2nd seed Celtics 4-3, despite throwing away a 3-0 lead in that series. The fact that Miami beat the 2 teams with the best records during the regular season, the Bucks and the Celtics, on their way to the NBA finals shows that despite nearly missing out on the playoffs they are actually a team full of class and confidence.
The number 1 seed in the west Denver Nuggets were utterly impressive on their way to the first-ever NBA Finals appearance in the franchise’s history. The Nuggets needed 5 games in round 1 vs the Timberwolves. Then they went on to edge the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in what were 6 epic battles. After that, the Nuggets won their first-ever Western Conference title in the most convincing of styles when sweeping LeBron and his Lakers 4-0. Nikola Jokic is averaging a triple double these playoffs and the Nuggets have looked by far the most impressive team in the postseason so far.
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips for the NBA Finals
Now we give our NBA Playoff Predictions for the NBA Finals
NBA Finals
Denver Nuggets (1) vs Miami Heat (8)
Denver Nuggets reached their first-ever NBA Finals in the most convincing of ways and we simply can’t see past them in terms of lifting their maiden NBA Title. Nikola Jokic is playing at a sensational level. However, Jamal Murray is even better in these playoffs, with the entire starting 5 of the Nuggets proving to be by far the most efficient forward line in the league with 120.4 points per 100 possessions this postseason.
Of course, the Miami Heat won’t be fearing the Nuggets as the East’s 8th seed just stunned the 2 best teams of the regular season and top 2 seeds in the Eastern Conference to book their place in the Finals. Jimmy Butler is leading the Heat on his shoulders and he has done that brilliantly so far. The Heat certainly have much more experience both in their roster and on the bench when it comes to NBA Finals. They have the best defence this postseason too, so Miami are probably the only team that could somehow find a way to slow down Denver’s mean machine.
All that said, the fact that Denver rested well before these finals while Miami had to go through a 7-game thriller vs the Celtics should sway things in Denver’s favour at least in the first 1-2 games. If the Nuggets race to a 2-0 lead it would be hard, if not near impossible, for the Heat to come back. That’s why we stick with our prediction and back the Denver Nuggets to win their first-ever NBA Title.
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
