The 2023 NBA Finals are finally set, with all eyes on a best-of-seven matchup to determine the champion. The series begins on Thursday, June 1, as the NBA sets the dates for the finals in advance. The Denver Nuggets will represent the Western Conference as the No. 1 seed, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Denver will take on Eastern Conference No. 8 seed Miami Heat with the highest possible stakes. 

Miami's story is one-of-a-kind this postseason. The Heat lost to the Atlanta Hawks in a play-in game at home and needed a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Chicago Bulls to even make the playoff bracket. Then, Miami upset the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals before defeating the Boston Celtics. The Heat did need seven games to knock off Boston, but did so in a memorable Game 7 win on the road on Monday. The duo of Jimmy Butler and head coach Erik Spoelstra brings a great deal of experience for Miami. 

While the Eastern Conference Finals took longer to complete, Denver has been resting since a win at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on May 22. The Nuggets entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the West, though Denver was not a consensus betting favorite to emerge from the conference. Denver made quick work of Minnesota in the first round before dismantling the Phoenix Suns. That was followed by a four-game sweep, even in competitive fashion, against the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver has performed at the highest level of any playoff team. 

Below, we'll dive into the 2023 NBA Finals from every angle, including a pick on the winner and a best bet on the series. As the series commences, the Nuggets are -380 favorites ($380 to win $100) at Caesars Sportsbook, with the Heat listed at +300 ($100 to win $300) to advance. 

Heat vs. Nuggets full series odds

• Series winner: Nuggets -380 | Heat +300
  
• Series handicap: Nuggets -1.5 games (-155) | Heat +1.5 games (+130)
• Series alternate handicap: Nuggets -2.5 games (+140) | Heat +2.5 games (-170)
• Total number of games: Seven (+220) | Five (+240) | Six (+240) | Four (+500)
• Exact finish: Nuggets in 5 (+270) | Nuggets in 7 (+350) | Nuggets in 6 (+425) | Nuggets in 4 (+525) | Heat in 6 (+700) | Heat in 7 (+850) | Heat in 5 (+2500) | Heat in 4 (+5000)

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