With the Nuggets’ big win in NBA Finals Game 3 on Wednesday night in Miami, the home-court advantage once again shifts to Denver. The next game is in Miami on Friday night, but all that Denver needs to do from here on out is protect their home court.
The Nuggets have lost only one game this postseason at home. Yes, that was their last game at home against the Miami Heat, but they will be the heavy favorite in any game played in the Mile High City. Even the games in Miami, including the next one, sees Denver as the favorite.
Game 3 – Denver Nuggets (-3.5) at Miami Heat
The formula for victory for the Nuggets is pretty simple. Run the offense through Nikola Jokic, but don’t make the only offense. In Game 1, the two-time MVP had a triple-double with 27 points, ten rebounds, and 14 assists. And that last number is key. His distribution of the basketball led to big games from Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon.
In Game 2, Jokic had 41 points but just four assists and the supporting cast suffered, and the Nuggets lost.
In Game 3, the assist man was back, with Jokic finishing the game with yet another triple-double – 32 points, 21 rebounds, and ten assists. Murray scored 34, Christian Braun added 15, and the Nuggets cruised to the 109-94 victory.
On Friday, we should see more of the same. The ball coming into Jokic, and him finding the open man on the perimeter when the defense collapses on him. And when the defense keeps its defense tight along the outside, Jokic will go to the basket.
Series Score Odds
- Nuggets 4-1 (-110)
- Nuggets 4-2 (+325)
- Nuggets 4-3 (+375)
- Heat 4-2 (+1800)
- Heat 4-3 (+1100)
Bookmakers are feeling so good about the Nuggets that they are paying less than even money on the Nuggets winning the next two games and secure their first-ever NBA title. Even if the series does the full seven games, Denver is the huge favorite, +375 as compared to +1100 for Miami.
NBA Finals MVP
- Nikola Jokic (-650)
- Jimmy Butler (+1000)
- Bam Adebayo (+1400)
- Jamal Murray (+2000)
Jokic has two triple-doubles in three games and is clearly the best player on the court. He is the easy favorite to add a Finals MVP to his already impressive trophy case.
If Miami were to stage a comeback and win this NBA Finals, one would expect that playoff Jimmy Butler will have to go off. Bam Adebayo has also been solid for the Heat, and he, too, would get some deserved MVP chatter.
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