[Eddy Munny]

Everyone has this series as a wrap for the Nuggets, it's just a matter of how soon... How did we arrive at this series being a foregone conclusion? What more does Miami have to do?

I could understand the naysayers coming into the playoffs, I was one of them, but haven't they proven anything? Lucky teams aren't supposed to win best of 7's. The cream rises to the top over the course of a series. These guys slayed not one, but two teams who probably would've been favored over the Nuggets.

I still don't know if the Nuggets have a bench worth a damn, but none of their opponents have made them pay for it yet. Bruce Brown is a good player, but what exists beyond that? Jeff Green is a wily vet that can give you decent minutes, but he isn't much beyond "serviceable." Braun has done diddly squat for Denver in the postseason, that gives them a 7 man rotation, unless Reggie Jackson gets thrown into the fire.

The Heat have shown a pretty deep and versatile roster that gives Coach Spo a lot of flexibility, and the possibility exists that you could have Herro coming off the bench as soon as game 3. I'm assuming he wouldn't crack the starting lineup after all these guys have been through, you can't tinker with a winning formula, but it would give MIA another option.

The Nuggets are beatable, they've been resting for so long that people have immortalized them in their minds. They only swept the Lakers because Russell disappeared for the entire series and Lebron was gassed in the fourth quarters. The Lakers had nobody who could hit a shot for long stretches late in games. If the Heat have shown anything it's that they have a handful of guys not afraid of the moment, and are capable of late game daggers. Their 3 point shooting in the postseason has been every bit as good as Denver's.

I think this series is closer to a coin flip than a 3 to 1 type disparity. Convince me otherwise.

[bjb7223]

Everyone has this series as a wrap for the Nuggets, it's just a matter of how soon... How did we arrive at this series being a foregone conclusion? What more does Miami have to do?

I could understand the naysayers coming into the playoffs, I was one of them, but haven't they proven anything? Lucky teams aren't supposed to win best of 7's. The cream rises to the top over the course of a series. These guys slayed not one, but two teams who probably would've been favored over the Nuggets.

I still don't know if the Nuggets have a bench worth a damn, but none of their opponents have made them pay for it yet. Bruce Brown is a good player, but what exists beyond that? Jeff Green is a wily vet that can give you decent minutes, but he isn't much beyond "serviceable." Braun has done diddly squat for Denver in the postseason, that gives them a 7 man rotation, unless Reggie Jackson gets thrown into the fire.

The Heat have shown a pretty deep and versatile roster that gives Coach Spo a lot of flexibility, and the possibility exists that you could have Herro coming off the bench as soon as game 3. I'm assuming he wouldn't crack the starting lineup after all these guys have been through, you can't tinker with a winning formula, but it would give MIA even more depth.

The Nuggets are beatable, they've been resting for so long that people have immortalized them in their minds. They only swept the Lakers because Russell disappeared for the entire series and Lebron was gassed in the fourth quarters. The Lakers had nobody who could hit a shot for long stretches late in games. If the Heat have shown anything it's that they have a handful of guys not afraid of the moment, and are capable of late game daggers. Their 3 point shooting in the postseason has been every bit as good as Denver's.

I think this series is closer to a coin flip than a 3 to 1 type disparity. Convince me otherwise.

Ive thought about this and I think the way the Heat can beat the Nuggets is to force Jokic to take 40 shots per game. Give him wide open jumpers, but defend if he is going for layups. But always have his defender cheating the passing lanes to prevent his teammates going off.

[Eddy Munny]

Ive thought about this and I think the way the Heat can beat the Nuggets is to force Jokic to take 40 shots per game. Give him wide open jumpers, but defend if he is going for layups. But always have his defender cheating the passing lanes to prevent his teammates going off.

He'll hit wide open jumpers all day long... You just have to defend Jokic the best you can and realize he's going to stuff the stat sheet no matter what you do. I think keeping Murray from going vintage Curry is the key. Don't let MPJ get comfortable either. The Lakers' transition defense was abysmal. The Heat have to be better in that department too.

[pavyracer]

It comes down to the fresh legs and injuries. How many games Heat played so far and how many has Nuggets? It's a huge advantage especially when the other team is playing at mile high elevation where the air is thin. Will be hard to win a game in Denver.

[bjb7223]

It comes done to the fresh legs and injuries. How many games Heat played so far and how many has Nuggets? It's a huge advantage especially when the other team is playing a mile high elevation where the air is thin. Will be hard to win a game in Denver.

Heat- 18
Nuggets- 15

[Eddy Munny]

It comes done to the fresh legs and injuries. How many games Heat played so far and how many has Nuggets? It's a huge advantage especially when the other team is playing at mile high elevation where the air is thin. Will be hard to win a game in Denver.

I agree with that, I think it's one of the reasons people have Denver waltzing through this series.

But the other side of the argument is that there's something to be said for having been battle tested.

Butler is an older player, but the general makeup of the team I wouldn't call old. Lowry is ancient but he doesn't play heavy minutes.

[stevenash]

I don't think Miam is deep enough to shut down Murray, Porter, and Gordon if they do contain Jokic.

IMO Denver sports the much better starting five.

But...
If Miami's snipers, Max, Vincent, and the rest are all hitting their shots, then Denver may be in for a world of hurt.
The only way IMO Miami can win this best of seven is from long distance.

Denver wins the series IMO, but I don't lay -325 on anything
The '54 Indians were supposed to waylay the Giants, the Sons of Wahoo were 4:1 favorites there, we all know how that turned out.
1990 Bash Brothers were just about 3:1 favorites over the Nasty Boys, that didn't turn out well either for the chalk.

I'm sitting this one out, so I hope you cash EM.
You never know.

[asiagambler]

Strange thread. Nobody is saying they can't win (well maybe they are)

They just don't have a very good chance to win

Miami is not on Denver's level

[Jayvegas420]

Imagine parlaying Florida Panthers with the Miami heat back in April!

[pavyracer]

I agree with that, I think it's one of the reasons people have Denver waltzing through this series.

But the other side of the argument is that there's something to be said for having been battle tested.

Butler is an older player, but the general makeup of the team I wouldn't call old. Lowry is ancient but he doesn't play heavy minutes.

The odds reflect the advantage. But I wouldn't bet anything this early. I only started betting the Miami-Celtics series once it went 3-0. I always like to see a few games before jumping in. This is the advantage of betting playoffs where the games are not one and done like football or soccer. There is no need to make a series bet if you can't have an edge at this point. Sit on the sidelines and see what happens first two games. Maybe make a live bet or 2H bet if you see something you like.

[texhooper]

I think this is correct but I also agreed with you on the Lakers over Nuggets. Nevertheless, methinks I will feast on a nibble of Nuggets series price regardless of the doomed fact that we agree

[Mac4Lyfe]

Strange thread. Nobody is saying they can't win (well maybe they are)They just don't have a very good chance to winMiami is not on Denver's level

But if I told you a team beat Milwaukee, New York and Boston, wouldn't you favor that team over anyone else in the league? The East is by far the better conference these days. The only reason we don't believe in the Heat is because they're the Heat. But, who has the better pedigree, Miami or Denver? Miami has been to the last 3 out of 4 eastern conference finals and this is their 2nd finals. Maybe Denver is just happy to get there?

The road to the finals by the Heat was a remarkable run. Denver has not been tested. I too believe Denver wins the series easily but maybe we're all just too biased and not really looking at what we're watching.

[ThaTopMoron]

bucks knicks (besides Brunson) and celtics all folded (should've lost game 6)

Nuggets proved me wrong and been the most consistent playoff team and that's why I bet them games 3 and 4 vs LA


Mia just a runner up team on another unlikely run that ends in the Finals yet again

[stevenash]

The road to the finals by the Heat was a remarkable run. Denver has not been tested. I too believe Denver wins the series easily but maybe we're all just too biased and not really looking at what we're watching.

Denver has not been tested because they're that damn good, and when they were down 15 at half the time they were tested, how'd that work out?

[lakerboy]

It will go 6 minimum. The line is way too high I agree. Denver is a muxh more consistent shooting team than Boston was so that will be an issue for mia because jokic can always give you a bucket when things aren't going from 3. Spo is got enough to get mia into game 6 like he did vs Lakers in the bubble. Ultimately home court altitude means ALOT IMO with mia having a few older guys.

[Eddy Munny]

For the record, I haven't taken Heat for series but was strongly considering it at +330.

I may put the kibosh on that and just play it out game by game, there are enough things to give me pause.

[gauchojake]

Miami has had so many games where they look like trash and somehow eke out a win. Denver it doesn't seem like they have had a bad shooting game the entire playoffs. If Denver somehow goes a little cold, the Heat could out-ugly them for a few games. Maybe they can steal game 1. IDK, I don't see how they could do it for 4 games though. It's the NBA though so we shall see.

[asiagambler]

But if I told you a team beat Milwaukee, New York and Boston, wouldn't you favor that team over anyone else in the league? The East is by far the better conference these days. The only reason we don't believe in the Heat is because they're the Heat. But, who has the better pedigree, Miami or Denver? Miami has been to the last 3 out of 4 eastern conference finals and this is their 2nd finals. Maybe Denver is just happy to get there?

The road to the finals by the Heat was a remarkable run. Denver has not been tested. I too believe Denver wins the series easily but maybe we're all just too biased and not really looking at what we're watching.

What???? Denver beating Phoenix was more impressive than anything Miami did

Just happy to be there ???

At the NBA finals ???

[lakerboy]

What???? Denver beating Phoenix was more impressive than anything Miami did

Just happy to be there ???

At the NBA finals ???

Beating phoenix lol what? Suns were missing Chris Paul. Denver was struggling the first 4 games. Phoenix was a joke.

Mia beat the two top odds on favorites to win the NBA championship without home court.

Denver is very good but they haven't been on this stage. That matters.

[asiagambler]

Beating phoenix lol what? Suns were missing Chris Paul. Denver was struggling the first 4 games. Phoenix was a joke.

Mia beat the two top odds on favorites to win the NBA championship without home court.

Denver is very good but they haven't been on this stage. That matters.

No Paul doesn't really matter much on that team

Giannis basically missed 3 games. That's a player that actually matters

[BuckyOne]

If Miami can defend the Greek freak and Milwaukee they can defend Joker.

[asiagambler]

If Miami can defend the Greek freak and Milwaukee they can defend Joker.

I guess they could count on Jokic to get hurt. It's possible

[ChuckyTheGoat]

If Miami can defend the Greek freak and Milwaukee they can defend Joker.

You hit on something, Bucky. I made the point that Denver went thru Western opponents that were big names but maybe not big on substance.

Nuggets ripped thru the West. Miami surely more battle-tested knocking out the Eastern 1/2 seeds.

[homie1975]

If Miami can defend the Greek freak and Milwaukee they can defend Joker.

The Freak only played 11 mins in G1 vs Miami and did not play at all in G2 of that series.

By the time he felt well enough to play, it was too late as Miami was up 2-0 and surging.

Other than vs the Celtics this year, 2-0 leads mean something in the playoffs especially when you are coming back home for G3.

I am not trying to take anything away from the Heat's win over the Bucks - I am simply pointing out that one of the best players in the NBA, an absolute force named The Freak who has a championship already, only played sparingly in G1 and did not play at all in G2.

[homie1975]

Everyone has this series as a wrap for the Nuggets, it's just a matter of how soon... How did we arrive at this series being a foregone conclusion? What more does Miami have to do?

I could understand the naysayers coming into the playoffs, I was one of them, but haven't they proven anything? Lucky teams aren't supposed to win best of 7's. The cream rises to the top over the course of a series. These guys slayed not one, but two teams who probably would've been favored over the Nuggets.

I still don't know if the Nuggets have a bench worth a damn, but none of their opponents have made them pay for it yet. Bruce Brown is a good player, but what exists beyond that? Jeff Green is a wily vet that can give you decent minutes, but he isn't much beyond "serviceable." Braun has done diddly squat for Denver in the postseason, that gives them a 7 man rotation, unless Reggie Jackson gets thrown into the fire.

The Heat have shown a pretty deep and versatile roster that gives Coach Spo a lot of flexibility, and the possibility exists that you could have Herro coming off the bench as soon as game 3. I'm assuming he wouldn't crack the starting lineup after all these guys have been through, you can't tinker with a winning formula, but it would give MIA another option.

The Nuggets are beatable, they've been resting for so long that people have immortalized them in their minds. They only swept the Lakers because Russell disappeared for the entire series and Lebron was gassed in the fourth quarters. The Lakers had nobody who could hit a shot for long stretches late in games. If the Heat have shown anything it's that they have a handful of guys not afraid of the moment, and are capable of late game daggers. Their 3 point shooting in the postseason has been every bit as good as Denver's.

I think this series is closer to a coin flip than a 3 to 1 type disparity. Convince me otherwise.

Eddie i wholeheartedly agree but for me it is like boxing when several guys were +600 to +900 dogs vs Mayweather like Marcos Maidana for instance and Canelo. I knew they were much better than the odds suggested but it was a binary proposition: Win or Lose.

Will Miami get to 4 wins before Denver does? very likely no.

However, I think game to game there is money to be made here.

[asiagambler]

The Freak only played 11 mins in G1 vs Miami and did not play at all in G2 of that series.

By the time he felt well enough to play, it was too late as Miami was up 2-0 and surging.

Other than vs the Celtics this year, 2-0 leads mean something in the playoffs especially when you are coming back home for G3.

I am not trying to take anything away from the Heat's win over the Bucks - I am simply pointing out that one of the best players in the NBA, an absolute force named The Freak who has a championship already, only played sparingly in G1 and did not play at all in G2.

He didn't play Game 3 either. Budenholzer's brother also died at some point during the series and Bud's decision making or lack of it may have directly contributed to losing one of the games in that series... I don't really understand the premise of that post though anyway. Jokic and Giannis are two completely different players

[homie1975]

He didn't play Game 3 either. Budenholzer's brother also died at some point during the series and Bud's decision making or lack of it may have directly contributed to losing one of the games in that series... I don't really understand the premise of that post though anyway. Jokic and Giannis are two completely different players

right. after 11 mins in G1 he did not return until G4 and G5 but it was too late.

i just looked up Bud's brother and he died before G4

[hehfest]

Well, Eddy. That's a good write-up. I would say what you alluded to when you spoke about the Lakers/Nuggets and the Lakers never facing the size the Nuggets had. And you were right about that and I agreed before the series. I could argue this with the Heat too, but the Bucks DID have the size and they beat them. I don't remember how much Lopez played in that series? I can't recall and didn't watch much of it to be clear.

The Celts crushed them on the OFF boards all series, and the Heat were lucky to escape with a small lineup. Let's face it. They have a small lineup. Either way, Coach Spoley knows how to coach around pretty much any mismatch. He won game 7 on the road in Boston. Beat the Bucks and coasted passed the Knickerbockers in 6. Knicks had a little size right?

That would be my argument. Denver does have Joker, Murray, and Gordon playing really well and of course Brown, and forgot Caldwell-Pope too. The difference to me is Boston didn't really have a Murray type guard. A guard that plays like Murray. They don't have a Joker type player. And they don't have a Gordon with that wide chest size going either.

That's why I liked the Chicken Tenders over the Lakers. Gordon was 10-15 pounds heavier and taller than Brooks and I said he could give James some trouble. Plus, AD had to deal with Joker where Memphis didn't have the size inside.

So, my conclusion is that the Coach Spoley beat the Bucks with size, but then Denver has a different make-up compared to the Bucks. My only argument is can the Heat beat the size and stop the second and third shots. And is Murray just too good of a shooter plus kick-outs to others when they double Joker? Boston missed a lot of 3's in that series and died by them but Denver really doesn't have to live or die by the 3.

[BuckyOne]

You could say the only reason Miami beat Boston in game 7 is because Tatum turned his ankle. Knicks had wounded as well. Miami got a couple of guys hurt but are surviving depth wise.

I do not think any of these will be close games. Denver lives by the 3. Probably win by 20 or lose by 20 if the 3's do not go in.

[Mac4Lyfe]

What???? Denver beating Phoenix was more impressive than anything Miami did
Just happy to be there ???
At the NBA finals ???

Are you kidding? Phoenix was hot garbage. Phoenix had the exact same record as the Brooklyn Nets who was 6th in the East. Durant is one of the biggest chokers in the NBA. Plus they didn't have CP3. Are you really trying to tell me that that was more impressive than beating the Bucks, Knicks and Celtics, back to back to back? Get out of here.

This is Denver's first Finals in the history of the franchise. How many teams have won NBA titles on their first try?

[Mac4Lyfe]

I guess they could count on Jokic to get hurt. It's possible

The Heat has had a bit of luck in these playoffs, so it wouldn't shock me.

[johnnyvegas13]

Are you kidding? Phoenix was hot garbage. Phoenix had the exact same record as the Brooklyn Nets who was 6th in the East. Durant is one of the biggest chokers in the NBA. Plus they didn't have CP3. Are you really trying to tell me that that was more impressive than beating the Bucks, Knicks and Celtics, back to back to back? Get out of here.

This is Denver's first Finals in the history of the franchise. How many teams have won NBA titles on their first try?

Good point denver first finals

hear have been there a lot

including 3 short years ago but they let lakers win it for kobe

[stevenash]

Johnny?
Who you 'on'?

[Optional]

Good point denver first finals

hear have been there a lot

including 3 short years ago but they let lakers win it for kobe

Heat won it all their first time in the finals

[asiagambler]

Are you kidding? Phoenix was hot garbage. Phoenix had the exact same record as the Brooklyn Nets who was 6th in the East. Durant is one of the biggest chokers in the NBA. Plus they didn't have CP3. Are you really trying to tell me that that was more impressive than beating the Bucks, Knicks and Celtics, back to back to back? Get out of here.

This is Denver's first Finals in the history of the franchise. How many teams have won NBA titles on their first try?

If Durant/Phoenix are chokers then what is Boston ??

You like regular season records so much then what was Miami's ???

Paul is about as important to his team as Brogdon who was also injured

There are plenty of teams that won on their first try. You need to actually look these things up before saying them. It's not even that relevant here because how often is the the first time finalist a PROHIBITIVE FAVOURITE? You people argue against yourselves