NBA Finals Game 1: Nuggets vs Heat Prediction & Best Bet

Happy June! We have come to the dramatic conclusion of what was yet another fantastic NBA regular season and playoffs, as the 2023 NBA Finals get underway tonight in Denver.

The number one seed Denver Nuggets from the West will take on the Cinderella #8 seed Miami Heat in a battle Royale to be crowned champions of the National Basketball Association.

The #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV comes to Denver for the first time!

Jimmy. Bam. Joker. Jamal.
The biggest stage in basketball.

WHO WILL WIN GAME 1 at 8:30 PM ET on ABC? pic.twitter.com/SU4OiZhYax

— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2023

Get a preview of the entire series on our NBA FINALS PREVIEW page to find out all the storylines and the best series bets you can make for what should be a fascinating NBA Finals.

It is Game 1 tonight and we will break down the start of this fascinating series and give you everything you need to watch and bet on Game 1!

Find out all the info you need for the every game of the NBA Finals on our NBA Picks Page.

Updated lines, best odds and aggregated picks for every matchup, every day.

Click HERE for NBA Finals Betting Picks

Will Denver make a statement with a big win in Game 1 at home? Or will the Heat’s Finals experience show and lead them to a shocking Game 1 victory?

Let’s dive in!

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Game 1

• Game Date and Time: Thursday, June 1st, 2023. 8:30 PM EST
• Game Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Where to Watch: ABC/ Youtube TV

Spread

• Nuggets -9 (-110)
• Heat +9 (-110)

MoneyLine

• Nuggets (-375)
• Heat (+295)

Total

• Over 218.5 (-110)
• Under 218.5 (-110)

Are you looking to get some FREE expert research or some VIP premium sports picks to take out the hassle of finding the perfect wager every single day?

Well, look no further! We have a great list of services that give you expert picks and research for every game, every sport, every single day.

Sports betting can be hard sometimes. Take the hassle out, and make it easy so you can sit back and just enjoy the game.

What are you waiting for?

---

Game 1 Prediction

The Number one seed Denver Nuggets are finally here. The Nuggets won their first Western conference title after 5 failed attempts and have a chance to lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy for the first time in franchise history.

For Game 1 tonight, the Nuggets are going to continue to ride the fantastic play of 2 time MVP Nikola Jokic and superstar Jamal Murray.

More on the historic run Jamal Murray has been on in the playoffs 📰

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 27, 2023

This is a great piece on how fantastic Point Guard Jamal Murray has been playing throughout the playoffs and how key he is to the Nuggets success in their quest towards the Championship.

Murray will be crucial once again, as will the main man Nikola Jokic.

The Joker has also been fantastic all throughout the playoffs, doing whatever the Nuggets need on a game to game basis to lead them to victory night in and night out.

Jokic is one of the toughest players to prepare for, as he averaged a triple double on the season, but can beat you in every single way possible.

He is capable of dropping 40 points, grabbing 20+ rebounds, recording 15+ assists, or doing it all at once.

Miami will have their hands full all series dealing with the lethal one-two punch from the Nuggets, but Jimmy Butler and the Heat have been here before and will be ready for it all.

Don’t underestimate the Heat

The Miami Heat have been to the NBA Finals in 2 of the last 4 seasons, so it should be no surprise that they find themselves back here again.

But the path this season was far from expected and their most impressive run of them all.

After knocking out the top seed Milwaukee Bucks in 5 games and handling the Knicks in 6, the Heat finally took care of business against the 2 seed Celtics in Game 7 of what was one of the better Eastern Conference Finals series in recent memory.

The Heat have seen it all and have been underdogs for most of it. They don’t care.

We have an objective we haven't accomplished yet. Time to do whatever is necessary.#HEATCulture // #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/YcX8G2F3su

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 1, 2023

Tonight, they get to prove the doubters wrong once again and come out hot to start the Finals.

And I think they do just that.

Best Bet for Game 1

I know the Nuggets have been fantastic, especially at home, all season and in the playoffs. But 9 points with how well this Heat team is playing right now is too many points.

I find it very hard to believe Jimmy Butler and company go into Ball Arena tonight and get blown out by 10+ in Game 1.

The Heat were heavy underdogs in every round of the playoffs so far. And they won every game outright.

I am not sure if they win outright tonight but I am going to bet on them to cover the spread.

The drama of the NBA Finals begins tonight and I think we see a tight one to get us going.

Heat +9 (-110) Caesars Sportsbook

---

Best Player Prop for Game 1

Jimmy Butler o5.5 Assists (-140) FanDuel

Well, as you can see, I like the Heat tonight to start the series strong in Game 1 and if that is the case, Jimmy Butler is going to have to be a big part, scoring but more importantly, facilitating.

Butler has 6+ assists in 3 of his last 5 and 7 of his last 10 playoffs games. He also has fantastic success against the Nuggets facilitating.

Butler has not only 6+ but 8+ assists in both games against Denver this season, and the last 3 versus the Nuggets.

I like that trend to continue tonight and Jimmy to do a bit of everything to lead the Heat.

Bonus: Butler 8+ Assists (+270) FanDuel

---

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the NBA Finals!

Follow me on Twitter @SweatpantJesus for more props, sports news and overall vibes.

Stay up to date with all the stories every day as well on our Twitter page @YourBettingNews.

I host Saucy Betspresso on Twitch every Friday to go over the slate of games with my fellow sports betting pros, @Vsaaauce , @StonedBets, @WMMacMiller and @SukhBrar4.

We want to hear your best plays as well and discuss the winning moves TODAY at 5:30 EST!

Go check out our Twitch page and give us a follow!

Come hang with me and find the value! Look forward to seeing you there! Thanks for stopping by and as always, Peace and Love.

MORE NBA PREDICTIONS AND PICKS HERE