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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 30, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The outcome of Game 7 between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics will undoubtedly have a major influence on the Denver Nuggets' odds of winning the NBA Finals. Jon Metler examines the best NBA betting sites and provides an analysis of various strategies to approach the NBA Finals oddsboard. 

The Boston Celtics will be hosting the Miami Heat on Monday for Game 7, and they have the chance to make history as the only team ever to come back from a 0-3 series deficit. While that historical aspect is pretty cool, my main focus is always on making some money.

Regardless of the outcome on Monday, the NBA Finals odds are bound to undergo some significant changes at our best sportsbooks. It's not often that we find ourselves in a situation where two teams with such contrasting power ratings could potentially advance to the NBA Finals at this stage of the playoffs, but here we are.

Aside from the Milwaukee Bucks (pour one out for my futures), the Celtics entered the playoffs as the highest-rated team based on power ratings, while the Heat were not. That's why the Celtics opened as five-dollar favorites over the Heat at our best sports betting apps in their series price before Game 1. What this implies is that whether it's the Heat or the Celtics advancing to the NBA Finals, it will have a substantial impact on the odds for the Denver Nuggets to win it all.

I'd love to dig deeper into this topic and explore potential series prices for the NBA Finals to understand what it all means.

NBA Finals odds 2023

TeamDraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Nuggets-130 -125-125-130-130
Celtics+130 +120 ❄️+125+130+125 
Heat+1300+1300 +1400+1400+1200 

Enter SBR's free-to-play NBA Finals Leaderboard Challenge for your shot at the $350 prize pool.

Impact on Nuggets Futures

Who advances to the NBA Finals will have a major impact on anyone holding a Nuggets futures ticket. Despite the fact that the Western Conference champions swept the Los Angeles Lakers and have been enjoying some downtime, their odds have been fluctuating constantly due to the uncertainty of their potential opponent from the Eastern Conference. While I don't have the exact pricing for a potential NBA Finals series, as it hasn't been released anywhere yet via our best NBA betting sites, I can offer my best guess on what the sportsbooks might present.

If the Nuggets face the Heat, I believe we could see the Nuggets as strong -400 favorites. On the other hand, if the Nuggets face the Celtics, I anticipate the Celtics to be around -120 to win the series. Now, that's a significant swing in the Nuggets' odds and the implied probability of them securing the NBA Finals victory. It's a thrilling situation that keeps us on our toes!

How to take advantage as a bettor

The potential swing in futures pricing puts you in a fascinating position as a bettor. Currently, there's an opportunity to grab the Nuggets at a price of -125, which could give you a significant advantage if the Heat advance. But is this the optimal strategy to maximize your potential winnings in the event of the Heat advancing and the Nuggets securing a victory in the NBA Finals? Let's take a moment to consider the possibilities.

Picture this: The Heat are available at Pinnacle with a moneyline of +268. If I were to bet $100 on the Heat moneyline and they advance, my total winnings would amount to a delightful $368. Now, let's say I take that $368 and place it on the Nuggets series price of -400. If the Nuggets go on to claim an NBA Finals victory, I would be looking at a profit of $92. On the other hand, if I simply bet $100 on the Nuggets to win the NBA Finals at -125, my winnings would be $80. That's $12 less compared to the first approach, but it's worth noting that the Nuggets also have a chance to defeat the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

It's crucial to acknowledge that the sole reason we would contemplate jumping on the -125 price point for the Nuggets before Game 7 is because we're assuming the Heat will emerge victorious in Game 7. If you believe that the Celtics will come out on top, there's a good chance that you'll have the opportunity to find even money or even longer odds on the Nuggets after Game 7. 

Throughout the course of Game 7, there will be a plethora of strategies to consider and capitalize on the potential pricing adjustments, presenting a variety of angles to explore based on the team you're backing. It's important to remember that this is just one example, and there may be other innovative approaches worth exploring too. So, maintain an open mind and consider all the different paths at your disposal to maximize your betting opportunities.

Live Betting

I believe the best approach for this event is to enjoy watching the game and simultaneously keep a close eye on the futures pricing. There's always a chance that you might stumble upon a sportsbook or a specific scenario where the odds don't adjust quickly enough, leading to a potential opportunity to snatch up an unexpected price. It's important to be mindful of the potential line movements that may arise if either team advances and how it will impact the adjustments to the NBA Finals odds.

By staying engaged and tracking the odds in real-time, you can be on the lookout for any of our best sports betting apps that might be caught off guard. While it's unlikely, given the immense interest this game will generate from their trading team, it's still worth monitoring because you never know what hidden gem you might discover. Game 7 is notorious for triggering market overreactions for both teams, as even the slightest shifts in momentum can spark significant changes in the betting landscape. 

Check out our NBA best bets and our NBA Finals MVP odds.

Here are our best NBA betting sites

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