In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Denver Nuggets hurt the Miami Heat in the paint, making them pay for double-teaming Nikola Jokic. The Miami Heat failed to score anything easy, and their best player, Jimmy Butler, didn’t have a Jimmy kind of game. The Heat hope to suprise the so-called-experts who say the series is over and even this thing up. Do we expect Playoff Jimmy and a better offensive performance in this game 2 match up? Let’s check out today’s best Heat/Nuggets prop bets!

Jimmy Butler Prop Bet: Over 25.5 points

Butler scored a miserable 13 points in the Game 1 – his lowest in the playoffs. The Heat must improve offensively and run more through Butler. Jimmy attempted only 14 shots in Game 1, and without his points inside the three, the Heat are doomed. Bam Adebayo impressed on offense for Miami, but without Butler’s contribution, the Heat could face a 2-0 deficit in the series. Jimmy “Buckets” averages 27.6 ppg in the playoffs, and he’s by far Miami’s best scorer with Adebayo a distant second at 17.3 points per contest.

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It’s time for Butler to take more responsibility on offense and attack in the paint. Miami made only two free throws in Game 1, but Butler, who is known for drawing fouls and getting easy points from the stripe, has the ability to change that on Sunday. Butler gets 6.9 points from the stripe this postseason. If you think Miami has a chance in this game, then you want to look at Butler scoring two points LESS than his average tonight!
My Prop bet Pick: Butler over 25.5 points

 

Bam Adebayo Prop Bet: Under 18.5 points

Adebayo was surprisingly good in Game 1. He scored a playoff-high 26 points, but I don’t expect a similar showing this time around. In fact, Bam managed to score more than 16 points just once in his previous six games. Given that I expect Butler to lead Miami on offense again, it’s natural to expect Adebayo to return to his usual role. Adebayo’s matchup against Nikola Jokic is rather favorable for the big man, as The Joker is not known for his defensive ability. Still, it would be surprising to see Bam attempting 25 shots again. Game 1 was his season high in both regular season and playoffs. Erik Spoelstra surprised the Nuggets’ with Adebayo’s usage rate, and I think the hosts learned and will be more prepared for him in Game 2.
My Prop bet Pick: Adebayo under 18.5 points.

Max Strus Prop Bet: Over 8.5 points

Miami’s sharpshooter will try to bounce back from a devastating Game 1 performance. He missed all ten of his shots, nine of which came from downtown. Strus finished with zero points, and considering I expect Denver to defend inside the three in this one again, the Heat will have to turn to their shooters, relying on the perimeter attempts. The 27-year-old forward averages 11.5 ppg this year, so Over 9.5 points seems like one of the best Heat/Nuggets prop bets available.
My Prop bet Pick: Strus over 8.5 points

Note: 9.5 pts ia a dramatic difference and you want to find 8.5 pts from your sportsbook. 

Aaron Gordon Prop Bet: Over 0.5 Threes Made

Just like the Heat used Adebayo to surprise Denver, the Nuggets did the same with Aaron Gordon, particularly early in Game 1. The former Orlando Magic forward scored 12 points in the opening quarter, and all of his baskets came in the paint. That came as a result of Nikola Jokic’s extraordinary vision and quarterback skills, as the big man exploited the Heat double-teams often. Gordon will likely be limited from the interior in Game 2, but I do expect him to get some open shots from beyond the arc.

Now, Gordon is not a reliable option from downtown; he’s a 35.0% shooter and failed to make a three-pointer in four consecutive games in the playoffs. He also didn’t score a triple in Game 1 (took only one), but that could change on Sunday. Backing him to score one triple is something you could consider as one of the best Heat/Nuggets Game 2 prop bets.
My Prop bet Pick: Gordon over 0.5 threes made

Nikola Jokic Prop Bet: Over 1.5 Threes Made

Bam Adebayo is a great interior defender, but he is limited when it comes to the perimeter D. Jokic, who has a soft touch and can hit a three-pointer from any angle if you don’t get up on him, didn’t need to take many three-pointers in Game 1. The Nuggets had a comfortable lead for the majority of the game, so the two-time MVP had only two attempts. Jokic is shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc this year, which is more than respectable for a center. In 16 playoff games, the Joker attempted below three triples on only five occasions. He made two or more long shots in 56.25% of playoff games this year, and that is what you need to know to back Jokic Over 1.5 threes in Game 2… especially at these -even prices! The series is about coaching adjustments and you can expect  NJ to have different looks tonight. 
My Prop bet Pick: Jokic over 1.5 threes made