2023 NBA Finals: A Preview and Prediction
The much-awaited finale of the NBA season is finally here! The 2023 NBA Finals will feature two teams from opposite ends of the standings: the No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets of the Western Conference and the No. 8 seed Miami Heat of the Eastern Conference. It’s an exciting match-up that could go either way, with both teams having their own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both teams, the full schedule of the NBA Finals, and share our predictions for the eventual winner of the championship.
The Road to the Finals
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been the team to beat through three rounds of the playoffs. Led by two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and have played like champions. They made quick work of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, beat the Phoenix Suns in the second round, and then swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
Miami Heat
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat had a rocky start to the postseason, and it took a play-in comeback for them to secure the last Eastern Conference playoff spot. But once they got to the playoffs, they started wreaking havoc. Jimmy Butler and the Heat dismantled the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, knocked out the New York Knicks in the second round, and then got revenge against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.
Full Schedule for the NBA Finals
Game 1
Thursday, June 1, 8:30 pm ET
Game 2
Sunday, June 4, 8 pm ET
Game 3
Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 pm ET
Game 4
Friday, June 9, 8:30 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary)
Monday, June 12, 8:30 pm ET
Game 6 (if necessary)
Thursday, June 15, 8:30 pm ET
Game 7 (if necessary)
Sunday, June 18, 8 pm ET
How to Watch the NBA Finals
On TV
All Finals games will air nationally on ABC.
Online
Fans can stream each Finals game on ESPN+ and WatchESPN.
Home Court Advantage in the NBA Finals
The Nuggets will have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals since they had a better regular-season record than the Heat. Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 will take place at Ball Arena in Denver, while Games 3, 4, and 6 will be held at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Predictions for the NBA Finals
It’s always tough to predict the outcome of any NBA Finals series, but here are some predictions from different sports media outlets:
Sporting News
Six of seven writers pick the Nuggets to win the 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.
Sports Betting Dime
Robert Duff of Sports Betting Dime advises taking the Nuggets to win the series versus the Heat. He reasons that the Nuggets can count on the 1-2 punch of center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray, both of whom have been contributing high numbers in the postseason.
However, it’s worth noting that predictions are just that: predictions. Nothing is set in stone until the final buzzer sounds on the last game of the NBA Finals.
Conclusion
The 2023 NBA Finals is set to be an exciting match-up between two worthy opponents. The Nuggets have been dominant throughout the playoffs, but the Heat have shown that they have heart and resilience, willing their way to the Finals as the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual watcher, this NBA Finals series is sure to be one for the books.
FAQs
1. Who has home-court advantage in the NBA Finals?
The Nuggets have home-court advantage since they had a better regular-season record than the Heat.
2. When does the NBA Finals start?
The NBA Finals will tip-off on Thursday, June 1, and finish no later than Sunday, June 18.
3. How can I watch the NBA Finals?
All Finals games will air nationally on ABC, or you can stream each Finals game on ESPN+ or WatchESPN.
4. Who is favored to win the NBA Finals?
The Nuggets enter this series as -375 favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy, according to our betting partner, PointsBet. However, predictions are just that: predictions.
5. How many games will the NBA Finals series have?
The NBA Finals series will have a maximum of seven games, with the first team to win four games winning the championship.