The Nuggets sit one win away from claiming their first NBA Championship in franchise history, looking to deliver the knock-out punch against the Heat in Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Monday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Denver took care of business in Games 3 and 4 in South Beach, notching consecutive double-digit wins to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Lead guard Jamal Murray's Game 3 triple-double (34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) was crucial in the Nuggets reclaiming the series advantage on Wednesday night, and although he couldn't replicate that performance in Game 4 (15 points, 12 assists, three rebounds), Denver's one win away from an NBA title because its capable of winning games even when its superstars aren't on their "A" games. For bettors looking to make wagers on Murray for Game 5, they can navigate the bevy of props on SuperDraft and BetMGM.
On SuperDraft, bettors can pick an over/under on two or more player props. If you hit both, you win up to 3X the amount wagered, and the return increases each time you add another prop. Think of it as a "Same Game Parlay." More legs equal more risk, but also a bigger potential payout. However, not all players have the same props, so keep that in mind as you pick your over/under plays and try to win some cash during tonight's game.
NUGGETS-HEAT GAME 5 BETTING:
Betting preview | Top props | Exotic bets | Jokic props | Herro-related props
One thing to keep in mind is that users can't play more than one prop for a single player in a SuperDraft entry. Therefore, we will spotlight some of our favorite SuperDraft props and a couple of player props you can bet on at BetMGM.
Jamal Murray SuperDraft Player Prop Pick for Nuggets-Heat Game 5
Jamal Murray OVER 39.5 points, rebounds, and assists
Despite totaling 30 points, rebounds, and assists in Game 4, we like Murray to bounce back with a more complete showing in Game 5, one that results in the lead guard going OVER 39.5 points, rebounds, and assists. Murray's done his part as a facilitator in Denver's two-man game, averaging 10.5 assists per game, so we're hoping he dishes out at least nine assists to give us a chance to cash in on his OVER.
Add in a more efficient scoring night after shooting making just five-of-17 shots from the field in Game 4, leading to 25-plus points along with a slightly above-average rebounding night (5.5 reb), and he'll have a good chance to post 40-plus PRA.
Jamal Murray BetMGM Player Prop Bets for Nuggets-Heat Game 5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM, an Authorized Gaming Operator of the NBA. Click HERE to sign up!
Jamal Murray top points scorer (+275)
Since we're expecting Nikola Jokic to have a "down" scoring night by his standards, we'll take a shot on Murray leading all point scorers in Game 5 at +275 (implied probability: 26.67 percent). Given Murray's projected to score the third-most points in Game 5 behind Jokic (28.5) and Jimmy Butler (26.5), his +275 price tag is justified. However, Butler's points props continue to be overinflated while Jokic is playing on a gimpy right ankle.
Butler hasn't gotten to the free-throw line at nearly the same clip he's done all postseason, hindering his chances of putting up a vintage playing scoring performance in Game 5. It's never easy to fade Jokic, but we could see a more passive night from the do-it-all center after tweaking his ankle in Game 4.
Head-to-head total points: Jamal Murray over Jimmy Butler (+105)
Coinciding with Murray leading all players in points tonight, we'll also wager on a more conservative play by betting him to outscore Butler at +105. As we mentioned above, Butler isn't getting to the free-throw line at the same clip in the NBA Finals, resulting in lower point totals than we've been accustomed to seeing from him during Miami's Finals run (21.8 ppg, down from 24.7 in the Eastern Conference Finals).
Butler's averaging just five three-throw attempts per game, as Aaron Gordon's done a fine job of limiting Butler's ability to attack the basket off the bounce. Murray's also attempting 0.5 more field goals and 2.5 more threes per game in the Finals, so the volume edge has been in Murray's favor. Factor in Murray's 46.1 percent shooting from the field compared to Butler's 44.6 shooting percentage through four games and we think Murray ends Game 5 with a superior scoring output.
