Miami Gets The Herro (Tyler) It Needs For Game 5 Of NBA Finals
The Denver Nuggets (3-1) are on the cusp of their first title in franchise history. Denver hosts the Miami Heat (1-3) at Ball Arena for Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals tips off 8:30 p.m. ET Monday, June 12.
Miami is getting out-classed in this series and I appear to be on the wrong side of the NBA Finals. After losing Game 1, I jumped on the Heat's series odds at +500. Plus, I've lost money betting Miami's spread in Games 1, 3, and 4.
BET HEAT TO WIN NBA FINALS OVER NUGGETS ENTERING GAME 2
Did I learn my lesson? Absolutely not. Especially now that Heat SG Tyler Herro has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5 and is expected to suit up.
Heat at Nuggets NBA Finals Game 5 Odds
Odds for the Heat-Nuggets Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals from DraftKings as of 3 p.m. ET Monday, June 12.
A big reason why I've been so bullish on Miami's chances of upsetting Denver was the possible return of Herro. NBA talking heads suggested he would make small impact on the Heat's chances, which is stupid, frankly.
During the regular season, Herro led Miami in non-garbage time on/off net rating at +7.7, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. The Heat's effective field goal rate climbed 3.5% when Herro was on the floor.
Heat SG Tyler Herro dunks it on the Houston Rockets at Miami-Dade Arena. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Everyone fell in love with Miami's role players who stepped up in Herro's absence during this playoff run. Me included. But, Heat guards Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Caleb Martin have come back to earth in the finals.
Vincent and Stus combined for 2 points in Game 4 on 1-of-10 shooting. Strus had a 20 offensive rating Friday and Vincent's was 33. These guys weren't just normally bad, they were a detriment to Miami.
NBA FINALS 2023 HEAT-NUGGETS GAME 5 PROPS: JIMMY BUTLER, KYLE LOWRY, KCP
Furthermore, Jimmy Butler and Heat big Bam Adebayo need help offensively. Butler spends energy defending Nuggets PG Jamal Murray and Bam is tasked with slowing down two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
These close-out games get tight and there are fewer possessions. Heat-Nuggets Game 4 played at a snail's pace and Game 5 should be even slower. Denver beat the T-Wolves by three and Lakers by two in those two clinch games.
BET: Miami Heat +8.5 (-105) at DraftKings, down to +8
The Heat's betting odds for Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals vs. the Denver Nuggets from DraftKings.