2023 NBA Finals Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets: Start Time, Where to Bet, Odds & Best Bets Today

By winning game 7 on the road in Boston, the Miami Heat secured their second berth to the NBA Finals in 4 years. In doing so, they have set themselves up to play the Western Conference Champion Denver Nuggets, who look to win their first championship in Franchise history. Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals tips off at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. Read on for Game 1 odds information as well as new user sportsbook bonuses and best bets for tonight’s game.

2023 NBA Finals Nuggets Vs. Heat: Game 1 Info & Odds

When: June 1, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Watch it on: ABC, ESPN

Top SportsBook Promos & Where to Bet on The NBA Finals Game 1

Each sportsbook bonus listed below is eligible to be used on Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight. Moreover, each offer is combinable, meaning that individuals who have already signed up for one sportsbook are able to sign up and utilize sportsbook bonuses at any other sportsbook. Sports betting is currently legal in Ohio and will be coming to Kentucky soon.

NBA Final Game 1 Odds: Denver 8.5-point Favorite at Home

The Denver Nuggets come into Game 1 as 8.5-point favorites at home with -360 odds on the moneyline. This means that someone would need to bet $360 on the Nuggets moneyline to win $100. The Heat, meanwhile, sit at +295 on the moneyline, meaning a $100 wager on the Heat to win would pay out $295 if it happened. The total for this game is set at 219 points, implying a final score of 114-105.

NBA Betting Preview Best Bets for the Game 1: Denver Nuggets -8.5, Nikola Jokic o9.5 Assists

As far as the game goes, the bet here is the Nuggets. Denver is 3-0 in Game 1’s so far this postseason, winning by an average margin of 17.3 points per outing. Having swept the Lakers in the Conference Finals, the Nuggets also have a distinct rest advantage heading into this game with 10 days off versus Miami’s two.

Given Miami’s injury issues throughout this postseason between Gabe Vincent, Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro all missing time at various points, this rest advantage is not insignificant. The Nuggets to cover is the play for the Game 1 spread.

Nikola Jokic Will Have Over 9.5 Assists

Branching off into player props, one of the most intriguing lines on the board is Nikola Jokic to have over 9.5 assists. The two-time MVP is currently averaging over 10 assists this postseason and, during his most recent series against the Lakers, put up 12 or more assists in all but one game.

The Joker’s assist numbers against the Lakers prove to be a good forecasting point for this Miami series because it is likely that Erik Spoelstra will try to guard Jokic in a way similar to the Lakers. Like the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo will be tasked with playing the role of Jokic’s primary defender, while guys like Kevin Love and Cody Zeller will be designated as help defenders. Assuming help comes, Jokic will have easy passes to guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Kantavious Caldwell-Pope, opening up the floodgates on his assist number.

Caleb Martin Will Score Under 15.5 Points

The thought process behind taking Caleb Martin’s under here is two-fold. The first argument behind this prop is one based in regression. It’s reasonable to presume role players like Martin who have played beyond expectation to regress to the mean at some point. This regression tends to be more likely in Game 1’s and on the road. In Gam1’s this postseason, Caleb Martin is averaging just 12 points per game, 2.1 points below his averages otherwise.

The second argument is one of coach Mike Malone having a plan of attack for Martin. Up to this point in the playoffs, Butler and Adebayo have been the sole focus of opposing defenses. Now, it’s reasonable to expect that Martin becomes a primary focus, likely hindering his ability to get as many clean shots as he did in the Conference Finals.