The opening game of the 2023 NBA Finals are set to tip off on Thursday night, with host Denver Nuggets listed as 8.5-point favorites over the visiting Miami Heat.
While there are tons of sportsbook options covering every aspect of the series, one of the betting public's favorite things to wager on are NBA parlay bets.Â
Since there's only one game at a time at this stage of the season, we've compiled a couple of Nuggets vs. Heat same-game parlay picks for Game 1.Â
2023 Nuggets vs. Heat series preview and NBA Finals parlay picks
There is plenty to say about how these two teams reached this point. Jimmy Butler and Miami made its way through the East via the play-in, while Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets were the No. 1 seed in the West and ran through the conference with relative ease.Â
For more detailed information on how these teams got here and how to bet on the NBA Finals, check out the following:Â
Other than simply picking the game, we've added a few NBA player props to make things interesting and create a pair of NBA Finals same-game parlays in case you're looking for alternative betting options.Â
*All SGP odds are from FanDuel and are subject to change
NBA Finals same-game parlay (+277 or better): Include Nikola Jokic props and a Game 1 spread pick
- Miami Heat +9 (-110)
- Nikola Jokic 25+ points (-210)
- Nikola Jokic 1+ made 3-pointers (-310)
Miami has been a cover machine this postseason, boasting a 13-5 record against the spread. The Heat covered in five of their seven games against the Celtics and four of their six in the round before.Â
Jokic is a stat-stuffer to say the least. Crafting his fancy footwork, flashy passing together, the entire Nugget offense flows through him. This postseason, Jokic averages 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game.
But his scoring was on full display against a stingy Lakers defense. In those four games, Jokic surpassed the 25-point mark twice. He’s done that on 10 occasions in Denver’s 15 games.
Jokic’s shooting is one of the most underrated aspects of his game. So far during these playoffs, he’s made at least one 3-pointer in all but three games. He’s made three or more in four games.
Nuggets vs. Heat same-game parlay (+1743 or better): Include Jamal Murray, Bam Adebayo props
This bet is very much a long shot when you look at the odds, so tread lightly. Or if you build your own SGP, consider taking just a few elements of what we have here. If you do go for a big payday, remember to keep the amount you wager limited.Â
- Bam Adebayo 10+ rebounds (+125)
- Aaron Gordon 6+ rebounds (-115)
- Jamal Murray 6+ assists (-105)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 2+ 3-pointers (-150)
- Caleb Martin 2+ 3-pointers (-270)
In Denver’s 15 games this postseason, Murray tallied six or more assists on seven occasions.
In seven more games, he totaled five, which puts him right near this mark. He’s been uber-consistent in the assist department this postseason.
Both Caldwell-Pope and Martin put on impressive 3-point shooting performances in their respective conference finals.
Caldwell Pope totaled 12 made 3-pointers in his four games against the Lakers, which averages out to three a game. For the postseason, he’s shooting 41.1% from deep and knocking down two a game.
Martin, however, went on an absolute heater from deep against the Celtics. He never made fewer than two 3-pointers in the seven game series. Martin drained four 3-pointers on three occasions, too, including back-to-back games to close out the Celtics.
Gordon’s rebound totals remained steady these playoffs as well. The forward notched six or more rebounds in 10 of Denver’s 15 games, which is why he made an appearance on this bet.
The toughest leg of this parlay, at least according to oddsmakers, is Adebayo’s rebound totals. So far this postseason, the Heat center notched eight double-digit rebound performances.
But in games six and seven against the Celtics, he accomplished the feat. He also notched a 17-rebound outing in Game Two. It’s worth noting that in Denver’s four games against the Lakers, the Nuggets gave up six 10+ rebound performances.
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