“Celtics were prohibitively favored” – Skip Bayless slams odds DEVALUING Jimmy Butler’s Heat in NBA Finals Game 1
Skip Bayless questions odds as Nuggets and Heat clash in NBA Finals
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In a highly anticipated NBA Finals matchup, the Denver Nuggets are entering Game 1 as heavy favorites against the Miami Heat. The Nuggets, led by the outstanding play of Nikola Jokic, have been dominant throughout the playoffs and are considered a formidable force. However, Skip Bayless, is not convinced by the odds, expressing his belief that the Heat are being underestimated and undervalued by Vegas and other analysts.
The Nuggets have recently had the upper hand against the Heat, winning their last six meetings. However, the Heat have been no strangers to defying expectations in the playoffs. They eliminated the favored Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs and the Boston Celtics in the conference finals.
“I am laughing out loud at the way Vegas and everybody else continue to underestimate and undervalue if not devalue the Miami Heat. Oh, they’re just a cute little Cinderella Story, they’re like a March Madness team gone pro. This will end, they’re gonna about to be exposed, they’re going to be turned back into pumpkins by those Nuggets. Blah blah blah blah blah. I am loving this because it’s all wrong. They are still being underestimated even though, did I just dream this? Did I imagine this? I think the Heat eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.”
Bayless added:
“Celtics were prohibitively favored, just the way this is. The numbers are about the same. In fact, I averaged out the home point spreads of the four games, Miami at Boston, and they averaged out to an eight and a half Point favorite at home. Ah, guess what? Here we go again, although this opened at seven and a half and it’s already been bet up to eight and a half because nobody really believes in the Heat.”
Home court advantage could play a crucial role in this series. The Nuggets have an impressive 8-0 record at Ball Arena in the playoffs and were 34-7 at home during the regular season, the second-best mark in the league. Meanwhile, the Heat have proven to be a strong road team, going 6-4 straight up and 7-3 against the spread away from home in the postseason.
Heading into Game 1, the Nuggets are favored by 8.5 points, reflecting the general sentiment that they hold the upper hand in this matchup. Their offensive rating of 119.7 and net rating of +8 in the playoffs indicate their dominance on both ends of the court. Coach Michael Malone has made a talented roster with depth, making the Nuggets a strong opponent for any team.
The Miami Heat are ready to go against the odds once again
While the Nuggets may be the favorites in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat are no strangers to defying the odds. Throughout their playoff run, they have consistently proven doubters wrong. Led by their resilient roster, the Heat upset the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and overcame a strong comeback attempt by the Boston Celtics.
Despite being the lowest-scoring team in the regular season, the Heat have found their offensive rhythm in the playoffs, averaging 111.7 points per game. Their success is seen mainly by their exceptional three-point shooting, with a postseason-best 39% average from beyond the arc.
Furthermore, the Heat have faced difficulty with the absence of Tyler Herro, a key scorer who broke his hand in Game 1 against the Bucks. However, Herro is expected to make his return in the Finals, adding another offensive option.
The history of the NBA Finals suggests that an eighth seed has never won the championship before. However, the Heat have already defied expectations in their previous matchups, and their underdog status only fuels their determination to prove their worth on the biggest stage in basketball.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)