- The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat by a score of 94-89 to win the 2023 NBA Championship on Monday night.
- Nikola Jokic was named 2023 NBA Finals MVP following a 28-point performance in the Game 5 victory.
- Opening odds for the 2024 NBA Finals favor the Nuggets repeating next season. The Boston Celtics follow closely behind at BetUS.
For the first time in franchise history, the Denver Nuggets are NBA champions. On Monday night at Ball Arena, the Nuggets pulled away from the Miami Heat in the final minutes for a 94-89 victory.
Almost immediately following the championship celebration, BetUS released their 2023-24 NBA Championship betting odds and the Nuggets opened as the favorites at +550 odds. The Boston Celtics were closely behind with +600 odds.
Following a home loss in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Nuggets responded with three straight wins. The Nuggets were overwhelming favorites over the Heat going into the NBA Finals. They were priced at -410 heading into Game 1 against the Heat.
Before tipping off the 2022-23 NBA season, the Nuggets had +1800 odds in the preseason. There were eight teams with better odds, including the Heat at +1600.
Before the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Nuggets still weren’t getting much respect as Denver had +1000 odds to win the 2023 NBA title entering the postseason.
This was after finishing first in the West with a record of 53-29. Despite the success that Jokic has had in his career, bettors were shy to back the Nuggets because of their failures in the postseason.
However, the Nuggets were not this equipped in the past with Jamal Murray and Jokic playing together at full health. Murray hadn’t played in the Playoffs since 2020 because of injuries. He was the extra boost they needed to get over the hump.
The @nuggets are the 2022-23 NBA Champions! pic.twitter.com/8Kb1HZIkaj
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2023
Nuggets and Celtics Have Best Odds To Win 2023-24 NBA Title
Depending on which online sportsbook you look at, either the Nuggets or Celtics have the best odds to win next year. However, from our research, most oddsmakers have the Nuggets as slight favorites to repeat as champs.
Currently, the Nuggets have +550 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship at BetUS. However, this is not the case over at Bovada. The Celtics are favored to win with +475 odds. Oddsmakers at Bovada have the Nuggets as the second favorite at +500.
As money comes in on the Nuggets after their win in Game 5, we will likely see the odds shift towards the Nuggets at Bovada. BetUS and Bovada agree on who should have the third-best odds to win the NBA title next year, though.
The Milwaukee Bucks are +750 to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship at BetUS. Currently, these are the only three teams in the NBA with better than +1000 odds. The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers share +1000 odds as the next likeliest teams to win the championship next season, according to oddsmakers.
Boston should be dangerous again next season, but there are still questions regarding Jaylen Brown’s status with the Celtics. Will Brown be with the Celtics next season? He can make a lot of money staying with the Celtics, but that may not be his top priority.
Jokic Cruises To 2023 NBA Finals MVP Award
There wasn’t any question as to who was going to win the NBA Finals MVP. While Murray deserved recognition, the NBA Finals MVP had the Joker’s name written on it from the start.
Jokic’s NBA Finals MVP odds were -300 going into the series. If you liked the Nuggets to win the title, Jokic had to be an automatic bet to win the MVP. Considering the Nuggets were -410, there was better value on Jokic than betting on the team to win.
The native of Sombor, Serbia averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Jokic was efficient from the field with a 58.3% field goal percentage. Overall, Jokic was a dominant force through the playoffs.
In fact, it was one of the most productive efforts we have ever seen in the NBA Playoffs. Jokic is the first player in NBA history to score a minimum of 500 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in a postseason.
In 20 playoff games, Jokic averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game. However, after a wildly successful postseason, he has no interest in going to the championship parade.
The two-time regular season MVP appeared ready to hop on a flight and go home to Serbia after the Finals. Following what he did for the Nuggets, he should be free to do what he wants.
Jokić was asked if he’s looking forward to the Championship parade.
“No. I need to go home.” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1ZkPSG6mFe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2023
Nuggets’ Core Intact For Next Season
Jokic and Murray will both be back for the Nuggets next season. The Serbian has a player option in 2027-28 and is an unrestricted free agent in 2028. Meanwhile, Murray is on a five-year contract as well.
However, Murray only has one year left on his deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025. The Nuggets will have a big decision to make soon.
Murray was equally as impressive as Jokic in the NBA Finals. The Canadian star averaged 26.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 20 playoff games.
Aside from Jokic and Murray, Michael Porter Jr.’s contract runs through 2027 with the Nuggets. The 24-year-old should continue to see improvement in his sixth year in the NBA.
Bruce Brown was a solid contributor as a role player, but is scheduled to be a free agent in the offseason. Brown averaged 12 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in the postseason. At the right price, the Nuggets would like to re-sign Brown.
As long as the Nuggets stay healthy, they will be a major contender once again in 2024. You can also expect Jokic to be favored to win his third NBA regular season MVP award.
