The Denver Nuggets are looking to take a 2-0 lead over the Miami Heat on Sunday and for anyone betting on the game, we've got Game 2 NBA Finals picks and props to consider.
2023 NBA Finals predictions: Nuggets vs. Heat Game 2 picks and NBA player props
The Nuggets won Game 1 thanks to a dominant offensive performance and a bad shooting night from the Heat. Denver is once again a heavy favorite in Game 2:
- Nuggets (-8.5, -360) vs. Heat (+8.5, +290) - 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Jimmy Butler was also noticeably not aggressive in Game 1, while Nikola Jokic put his teammates in all the right spots and Jamal Murray continued the tear he’s been on all postseason.
Denver’s rest advantage, size, and offensive discipline were all noticeably important factors in the result. But what happens in Game 2?
June 4 NBA picks: Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler props, plus more NBA Finals Game 2 best bets
Jimmy Butler props: Under 0.5 three-pointers made (+162 or better)
The Heat set an all-time NBA Finals record by attempting just two free-throws in their Game 1 loss.
If anyone thinks the importance of that was lost on Pat Riley or Erik Spoelstra, they are sadly mistaken.
Miami needs to get to the free-throw line, and it starts with Butler getting to the basket and not spotting up from long distance.
Butler, who isn't much of a 3-point shooter to begin with, leads the Heat in free-throw attempts (8.6 per game in the playoffs) and must put pressure on the Nuggets’ defense, which should lead to him shooting even fewer 3s than he normally does.
Nikola Jokic props: Over 12.5 rebounds (-125 or better)
Jokic only grabbed one rebound in the first quarter of Game 1, but had nine in the next three to put him just about on pace to finish around this total.
We have faith in Jokic ultimately going over because of Denver’s size advantage, and also because of his dominance on the boards throughout the playoffs.
Jokic is averaging 13.1 rebounds this postseason and collected 14.5 per night against the Lakers in the conference finals.
If the Heat continue to struggle on offense, those missed shots could lead to more rebounding opportunities, which should give Jokic the volume to go over.
Nuggets vs. Heat Game 2 predictions: Denver -8.5 (-110 or better)
The Nuggets jumped out to a 17-point halftime lead and only ended up winning by 11 (although they still covered).
But for as free as their offense flowed, they shot only 29.6% from beyond the arc and gave up five more offensive rebounds than they claimed.
Miami nailed a bunch of 3s and benefited from unexpected scoring from Haywood Highsmith (tied-career-high 18 points off the bench) in the fourth quarter to keep the final score respectably close.
It was evident that Miami had no answer for Jokic or Murray, however, and it never felt as if they were seriously going to have a chance to win.
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Grant Mitchell graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021 with a degree in sports media & analytics. He has contributed to well-known publications such as Forbes, appeared on the VSiN TV network, and keeps a pulse on everything from legislative updates to the best prop bets. You can keep up with Grant's work here or by checking out his YouTube channel "The Sitch With Grant Mitchell.”
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