Heat vs Nuggets Game 2 – Best Player Props & Same-Game Parlay to Bet
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- The NBA Finals continues with Game 2 on Sunday (June 4) in Denver
- Nikola Jokic has at least 11 assists in eight of his last nine games
- Check out the best Heat vs Nuggets player prop targets and same-game parlay picks for Game 2 here
The series opener of the NBA Finals went pretty much as expected. The Nuggets continued their home dominance, and outclassed a tired Heat team that still hadn’t properly adjusted to the Mile-High altitude.
Game 2 is set for Sunday evening, and once again the Nuggets are big favorites in the NBA odds. The spread market is just one of the many categories bettors can get action in, as player props and same-game parlays will also draw significant money.
We’ve scored the odds board looking for our favorite Heat vs Nuggets player prop targets, and have compiled a short list below.
Heat vs Nuggets Player Props – Game 2
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 Assists | -135 |
| Max Strus Under 8.5 Points | -105 |
Our Miami vs Denver player props card starts with the over on Nikola Jokic’s assist total. The line currently sits at 10.5, which is a number he’s had no problem clearing so far this postseason.
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Odds as of June 2 at Caesars. Claim a Caesars promo code to bet on Heat vs Nuggets Game 2.
NBA Finals Player Prop #1: Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 Assists
Jokic is a cheat code, there’s no other explanation for how he plays. No matter how the opposition chooses to defend him, he always has the answer. If you want to double-him, he’ll find an open teammate every single time. Try to defend him one-on-one and he’ll make whoever’s on him look foolish.
Each and every play runs through him when he’s on the court, and no team has been able to slow him down all season. The Heat allowed him to play distributor for the first three quarters of Game 1 and he racked up double-digit assists. They elected to guard him one-on-one in the fourth, and he made 5-of-7 attempts.
Nikola Jokic joins LeBron James as the only players in the last 25 years with 10 points & 10 assists in any half of an NBA Finals game.
James did it in his 42nd Finals game.
Jokic did it in his 1st. pic.twitter.com/VZKy7uFQps
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2023
That should be an eye-opener for Miami, because they simply don’t have anyone who can hang with Jokic by themselves. The realization should entice them to make his Denver teammates beat them, which will pad his assist numbers.
Jokic has recorded at least 11 assists in eight of his last nine postseason games, racking up 14 in Game 1. He’s averaging over 11 assists in three meetings against Miami this season, recording a double-double in each contest, and a triple-double twice.
Pick: Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 Assists (-135)
NBA Finals Player Prop #2: Max Strus Under 8.5 Points
We hammered the under on 2.5 Max Strus threes in Game 1, and would do so again on Sunday if the line wasn’t sitting at -200. Nevertheless, we’re still looking to fade him and will do so in the points department.
Strus’ line sits at 8.5, a number that he’s failed to eclipse in three of his past four outings. He was held scoreless in Game 1 in a playoff-low 21 minutes, and bettors should be wary that his minutes may be cut short again on Sunday.
That’s because Tyler Herro could return, but even if he doesn’t Miami rotations over the last couple games suggest they prefer some of their other players over Strus.
Max Strus tonight:
0 Points
0-10 FG
0-9 3PT
100% Ass
1 Trip to Asia BookedHE’S TRYNA GET WAIVED AGAIN 🤯🔥💯👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/aT9NZ7JYLk
— Hater Central (@TheHateCentral) June 2, 2023
The 27-year-old has been miserable from the field over the last four games, making only 7-of-31 attempts. To make matters worse, the Nuggets have excellent perimeter defenders in the form of KCP and Bruce Brown, who are going to make things very difficult for Miami’s jump shooters.
Pick: Max Strus Under 8.5 Points (-105)
Heat vs Nuggets Same-Game Parlay Picks
We cashed our +200 Heat vs Nuggets same-game parlay in Game 1, and we’re looking to go back-to-back on Sunday. Denver is a perfect 9-0 in their own building this postseason per the NBA betting trends, winning each of those games by at least three points.
Heat vs Nuggets Same-Game Parlay
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets -2.5 | -275 |
| Nikola Jokic Over 34.5 Points + Assists | -260 |
| Miami Heat Over 101.5 Points | -140 |
| Same-Game Parlay Odds | +260 |
We’ll back the NBA Championship odds favorites giving 2.5 points to start our SGP, and pair it with over 34.5 points + assists for Jokic. It’s a stat combo total he’s eclipsed in 10 of his past 11 postseason starts, and as we discussed, the Heat will be hard pressed to slow him down.
If Miami is going to stay competitive with Denver they’re going to have to keep pace offensively. The Nuggets’ offensive rating at Ball Arena is a ridiculous 118.3, and they had no trouble getting open looks versus the Heat last time out.
Miami has promised a more aggressive offensive game plan on Sunday, and they should be better acclimated to deal with the Colorado altitude. The Heat also took an NBA Finals low two free throws in Game 1, and we should see plenty more attacking from them in Game 2.
Pick: Same-Game Parlay (+260)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
