Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets picks, predictions: Who wins NBA Finals?
The No. 8 seed Miami Heat of the Eastern Conference and No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets of the Western Conference face off in the 2023 NBA Finals.
Which team will win the NBA Playoffs series?
Check out these picks and predictions for the NBA postseason series.
Sporting News: 6 of 7 writers pick Nuggets to win NBA Finals
Five writers have Denver taking the series in six games, while one has them winning it in seven games. One writer is taking the Heat to win the series in six games.
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Sports Betting Dime: Take the Nuggets to win the series vs. Heat
Robert Duff writes: "Miami has rode on the back of power forward Jimmy Butler throughout this playoff run. Playoff Jimmy is averaging a career-high 28.5 points per game in these playoffs. No one else is getting more than 17 points per game, though. Meanwhile, Denver can count on the 1-2 punch of center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray. Jokic is contributing 29.9 ppg, while Murray is scoring 27.7. Six Denver players are scoring in double digits."
More: Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets odds for NBA Finals
Sporting News: Go with the Nuggets to win NBA Finals over Heat in six games
Stephen Noh writes: "The Heat have shown that it's a mistake to underestimate them. This is not the 44-win regular season team that barely squeaked into the playoffs. However, this is not a good matchup for them. The Nuggets have sizable advantages both with talent and offensive firepower. The Heat don't have great personnel to put on Jokic, who shot 12-of-14 in his last appearance against them. The Heat's zone may also prove ineffective. The Nuggets have good outside shooting, and their specialty is the type of passing and movement that zones can struggle to contain. Butler showed back in 2020 that he is capable of winning two Finals games just by himself, but I don't see the Heat beating this Nuggets team four times."
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The Arizona Republic: Heat will beat Nuggets in six games in NBA Finals
Duane Rankin writes: "The Nuggets have the better team, but Spoelstra has been to the finals, Bam Adebayo will give Jokic a different look and it’s time for Butler to become “Championship Jimmy.” The Nuggets are better, are playing better, but I got Heat in six. Sticking with my preseason pick even after vaguely remember making it."
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Fox Sports: Bet the Nuggets to win NBA Finals vs. Heat in 7 games
Jason McIntyre writes: "I ultimately keep coming up with the Nuggets to win it all the more I drill down into every angle. Never underestimate the heart of a champion, so look for Miami to give Denver all they can handle, but the Nuggets will prevail in the end. You can bet on the Nuggets to win the series, but the juice is heavy. If you are looking for a wager with a nice return, take Denver to win in Game 7."
Five Thirty Eight: Nuggets have a 73% chance to win NBA Finals vs. Heat
The site gives Miami a 27% shot at winning the NBA title over Denver.
More: My preseason NBA champion pick Miami Heat reach finals, but can they upset Denver Nuggets?
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Finals picks, predictions
