NBA Finals 2023, Game 5 on Tuesday, 06/13/2023
It’s only a small step for Nikola Jokic, but a huge one for the Nuggets! Because the franchise from the state of Colorado is on the verge of winning the 1st title in their own club history early Tuesday morning in these 2023 NBA Playoffs.
In my Nuggets Heat tip for Game 5, this is probably the last opportunity for basketball fans to try out a free bet. Because I’m convinced DEN will put the lid on it!
The Nuggets are – as I predicted – on the verge of winning the NBA Finals. Because on Friday they managed to increase their lead in this series to 3-1. Was that it for good?
In my previous predictions, I pointed out Denver’s size advantage and dominance inside the zone several times, but even though the Heat lost again in Game 4, 95-108, they were at least able to match them in that area of the game.
Miami, in fact, struggled so well at the board that DEN hit only 3 of 12 shots inside the arc in the first quarter and also narrowly prevailed 48-46 in the paint duel at the end of the game.
The decisive factor for the Nuggets’ success in Game 4 was not so much their performance in the zone, but their performance beyond the arc.
For the first time in this series, Denver converted 14 of its 28 three-point attempts. The Heat disappointed in this important aspect of the game with only 8 successful threes.
But more than the poor performance on downtown shots, Miami’s own playmaking proved to be disastrous. With 15 unprovoked ball losses and another 11 successful steals by the Nuggets, Miami gave the ball away far too often in their own possession.
What can we expect from Game 5? Definitely Nikola Jokic, who has excelled in every game of the series so far and is always a Bet365 Sports betting option.
The Serbian even set a new all-time record on Friday, as he has now become the first player in NBA history to score at least 500 points, 250 rebounds and 150 assists in the play-offs.
But teammate Jamal Murray – who I already had a winning player bet on in my Game 1 Nuggets Miami tip – also remains a hot candidate for an over-25 point bet on Sunday.
The Miami Heat face a team that is superior in all areas, that they just can’t get a handle on, and that has far more to offer than Nikola Jokic.
A good example of the quality the Serb is surrounded by? His already mentioned teammate Jamal Murray became the first player in the NBA Finals since 1977 to record twelve assists in Game 4 without losing the ball even once.
What’s more, Murray has now recorded at least 10 assists in all four games of this series – an unprecedented feat.
The NBA Finals are also already decided for me because the Nuggets get to serve their two matchups inside Ball Arena.
They did lose their last home game against the Heat here, but that was also their very first loss after previously winning 11 straight home games.
Thus, prior to the Heat, every playoff home game was equally won against the Timberwolves (3), Suns (3) and most recently Lakers (2).
Looking at the Nuggets Heat odds, sports bettors are making it unmistakably clear that they consider the NBA Championship already decided.
With an average win ratio of 1.25 to 4.10, Denver’s clear favouritism is basically in order.
Nevertheless, fans of the Heatles at least get a good “risk-payoff ratio” for their money.
While I personally don’t believe it, how many times have Miami surprised us in these playoffs by winning in a way no one thought possible beforehand?
Conclusion: The Nuggets have come way too close to their goal to let it slip away now.
Even though DEN didn’t dominate the zone in Game 4 like they usually have so far, they still managed to keep the Heatles clearly at bay due to their overall superiority and quality of play.
Because apart from the fact that Miami has already lost three of the previous four duels with a difference of more than 10 points each, I simply cannot imagine that they will be able to turn the wheel again in the Ball Arena of all places.
My Nuggets Heat tip: Denver wins with handicap -5.5.
