Best NBA Player Prop Bets for Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets - Game 1, June 1
What kind of performances can we expect on Thursday from Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray? Follow along as our NBA betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite NBA prop bets for today — Thursday, June 1, 2023. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more NBA player props, at ScoresandOdds.
It is June 1 and the NBA Finals are finally upon us! Tonight, the Denver Nuggets will host the Miami Heat for Game 1 at Ball Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
The market has very little faith in Miami tonight, following their grueling 7-game series against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Denver is priced as a 9-point home favorite on the spread this evening. The game total is set at over/under 219 points.
We are 92-81-1 on player prop recommendations to begin these NBA Playoffs. For those who would prefer to attack the player prop market rather than a side or total, we have three leans below for tonight’s action!
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NBA Player Props – Heat vs. Nuggets, June 1, 2023
- Jimmy Butler o27.5 points
- Nikola Jokic u13.5 rebounds
- Jamal Murray less than 5.5 assists
Jimmy Butler o27.5 points (-110), PointsBet
Jimmy Butler has seen his average points per game decrease significantly relative to the first round of these playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks. Nonetheless, Butler still had four games with at least 27 points during the Eastern Conference Finals. This evening, Butler is acutely aware that his teammates are fatigued, following a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics. Expect Butler to set the tone early in this contest with an aggressive approach on the offensive end of the floor. Take the over on his points prop.
Nikola Jokic u13.5 rebounds (-113), FanDuel
Nikola Jokic easily cleared this market number in three of four games played against the Los Angeles Lakers, but was only 3-3 to the over at this market number against the Phoenix Suns and 2-3 to the over against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Simply, 14 rebounds is a lot. The Miami Heat lack size in the frontcourt, which theoretically creates a tremendous advantage for Jokic on the low block. Yet, when we are considering raw numbers, we also have to examine the pace of play – both Miami and Denver are averaging fewer than 97 possessions per game during the postseason, which limits the number of rebound chances on both sides. The under is not going to be comfortable from a psychological perspective here, but it is likely the smart lean.
NBA DFS Pick’em
Jamal Murray less than 5.5 assists, PrizePicks
During these playoffs, the Miami Heat are allowing only 22.5 opponent assists per contest. During the postseason, Murray is only averaging 11.7 potential assists per game, including only 11.0 potential assists per game during the Western Conference Finals. Nikola Jokic is the primary facilitator for this group, with Murray only moderately involved in that regard. On Thursday, expect the Heat defense to do a good job limiting the accessibility of the passing lanes, making it difficult for Murray to rack up too many assists.
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