NBA Finals First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Sunday (Heat vs. Nuggets)

Denver’s dominance continues as they easily took Game 1 in the NBA Finals. They were the better team on both ends of the court, and Miami will have to make a lot of adjustments to avoid going down 0-2. Let’s look at the player who could get it started in Game 2.

Sunday's Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets grabbed their fourth consecutive Game 1 victory in the playoffs as the Heat looked gassed coming off playing a draining seven-game series. Miami was not able to keep up with Denver’s ability to move the ball, and the Nuggets’ defense was nearly perfect as they took away their perimeter shooting and only allowed Miami to attempt two free throws.

Although Bam Adebayo has a better tip-off rate than Nikola Jokic during the regular season (52%-49%), of the three total games the Heat and Nuggets have played, Jokic is 2-1 in tip-off wins, and in those two games also had the Nuggets’ first basket.

Miami was one of the worst at first baskets this season, scoring first in less than 40% of games during the regular season, and it's been worse in the playoffs at 33%. For Denver, Jamal Murray controls the ball, but we’ve seen that the offense really flows through Jokic and whether he’ll attack the basket or kick it out to the perimeter. Joker will be the one who makes that decision on the first possession, and he’s going to take it himself.

Bet: Nikola Jokic (+430)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday:

• NBA Playoffs Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
• MLB PrizePicks Player Predictions
• WNBA Best Bets Odds, Picks, & Predictions

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