Twitter: @GGirlSports.
It’s Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and the Nuggets have a 1-0 lead over the Heat. Although the Miami Heat came alive in the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets sealed the game, in large part to Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. It’s time to break down the Denver Nuggets player props and the odds for Game 2. If you are looking for the best betting odds and stats, here is information to know:
What is a Player Prop?
When it comes to sports betting, you can bet on just about anything when it comes to a game. Most people automatically think the money line, the spread, and the over/under. In fact, bettors can pick and bet on players.
A player prop bet is simple and to the point. It’s betting on a player’s estimated performance in that particular game. As a bettor, you can wager on players regardless of the outcome of the final score. When making these bets, it’s important to research the opponent and position matchup, minutes played, injuries, recent performances, home court advantage, and other factors.
For example, bettors can pick if a star player, such as Nikola Jokić, will perform over or under on a certain number of points. In fact, depending on the sportsbook that’s legal in your state, you can bet on points, rebounds, assists, blocks, rebounds, and so forth. This also goes for other sports as well, such as baseball, football, hockey, and soccer.
Game 2 Player Prop Picks
Jamal Murray Over 26.5 Points (-105).
Jamal Murray showed out in Game 1 and had an incredible performance. In 44 minutes played, Murray finished with 26 Points, shot 11-22 from the field, and 2-7 from the three-point range. In addition, Jamal Murray shot 2-2 from the free-throw line, a number I expect to be higher in Game 2. Additionally, Murray added 25 Points, shot 5-5 from the line, 0-4 from the three-point range, and 10-18 from the field in a Game 4 sweep against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It's hard to envision Murray averaging only 20 points per game this season when he’s exploded in the playoffs. Jamal Murray is an elite three-level scorer, who can also create his own shot. Often overshadowed by Nikola Jokić at times, Murray has many 30 plus point games in the playoffs. Murray averaged an impressive 32.5 Points against the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, shot 60 percent from the field, and 40 percent from the three. Murray scored 31 points in Game 1, 37 Points in Game 2, and 37 Points in Game 3 against the Lakers. If you look at the numbers, both Jamal Murray's minutes have increased series to series, in which he played a total of 44 minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Along with stable minutes played well into the 40’s, we’ve seen Murrays shot attempts increase, especially in the series against the Lakers. Murray averaged 22.8 shot attempts against the Lakers and is averaging 22 shot attempts in the Lakers. Jamal Murray is playing exceptional basketball, and he knows it. With the volume of minutes and shot attempts taken, he will see plenty of looks in Game 2.
It was interesting Erik Spoelstra and the Heat kept guard Gabe Vincent on Jamal Murray most of the night. In fact, Murray hit 7 shots against Vincent, and Jimmy Butler only guarded him a handful of times throughout the night. We saw Murray struggle against Caleb Martin, so perhaps the Heat will put Martin or Butler on Murray. Since the Nuggets have such a strong offense, it will be hard for Miami to guard both the weak and strong side of the ball. I love the way Jamal Murray is playing, especially with confidence and physicality. Give me Jamal Murray OVER 26.5 Points.
Stats:
Playoff Statistics: 27.6 PPG, 92.8 FT%, 39.2 3PT %, 48.1 FG %.
Statistics against the Miami Heat: 1 Game, 14 PPG, 100 FT %, 33.3 3PT %, 44.4 FG %.
Statistics at HOME this season: 20.7 PPG, 83.3 FT %, 40.8 3PT %, 46.3 FG %.
Nikola Jokić Over 10.5 Assists (-155).
There isn’t a hotter player right now than Nikola Jokić. The flicks, strong throws, no look passes, and accurate throws are what makes Jokić elite. Game 1 was his NBA playoff debut, and he did not disappoint. In fact, Nikola Jokić, finished with a triple-double at the end of regulation, and made history. Jokić became the first player in NBA Finals history to record that many assists (14) in a finals debut.
Nikola Jokić showed some serious playmaking ability in Game 1 against the Miami Heat. Not only did he record 14 assists, his court vision and passing was elite. His passes were timed perfectly, along with the perfect amount of velocity on the ball. Stated in the previous article, Jokić elevates the players around him. Whether it’s a corner pass to Bruce Brown, a back door cut to Aaron Gordon, or a perimeter look to Jamal Murray, Jokić makes the plays look simplistic. To me, this is what separates Nikola Jokić from the other Centers in the league, and marks him as a ‘generational talent.’ Although Denver was limited to under 30 percent on three-point shots, Nikola Jokić knows how to make the plays if the shots aren’t falling. It will be interesting to see who can guard and stop his elite playmaking ability heading into Game 2.
The Denver Nuggets have depth, which is one of the reasons why they are so successful this year and in the postseason. Although Nikola Jokić has the capability to take over games and score 30 plus points, it doesn’t look like he needs to. To me, he has the confidence in his teammates, and understands the amount of talent around him. I do think the Nuggets shots will fall in Game 2, and who wouldn’t want to pass to Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr.? The ability for Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown to get open in the corner will be vital, considering Nikola Jokić loves to flick the ball to the corner.
Let’s break down the stats in the playoffs and in the finals. In the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. Jokić, averaged 11.8 Assists, and only had under 10 assists in Game 3 (8). In addition, Jokić had 17 assists in Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns followed by double-digits in assists for the remainder of that series. In 2 games against Miami in the regular season, Nikola Jokić, averaged 10 assists a game. I expect Nikola Jokić to show out, especially in front of a home crowd. I like Nikola Jokić over 10.5 assists.
Stats:
Playoff Statistics: 10.5 Assists Per Game.
Statistics against the Miami Heat: 2 Games, 10 Assists Per Game.
Statistics at HOME this season: 36 Games Played, 11.1 Assists Per Game.
Bruce Brown Over 0.5 Threes made (-155).
This right here is one of my favorite NBA player props for Game 2. Bruce Brown is a staple bench player for the Nuggets, and added 10 Points, and shot 66.7 Percent from the Three in 21 minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Not only is Brown a solid bench player, but he’s also averaging a solid 26 minutes in the playoffs. In addition, he’s averaging 7 field goal attempts in the finals, and averaged 9 shot attempts in the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bruce Brown shot 66.7 percent from the three-point range in Game 1 and shot incredible against the Lakers last series. Brown averaged 52.8 percent from downtown and 2.75 threes attempted and against Los Angeles. In addition, Bruce Brown made at least one three-pointer in three games against the lakers, and two in Game 1 against Miami. In his two regular season games against Miami, Brown hit 5 three-pointers in two games.
With the way the Nuggets are playing, I fully expect Bruce Brown to hit at least one three, especially with Murray and Jokić as playmakers. The Heat allow 12.1 three pointers made in the playoffs, which is not in the top rank. If you aren’t sold on this prop, Bruce Brown hit the over on threes made 7 out of the last 10 games played in the playoffs. I like Bruce Brown OVER 0.5 Threes made.
Stats:
Playoff Statistics: 12.1 PPG, 31.7 3PT %, 53.3 FG %, 26.1 Minutes played.
Statistics against the Miami Heat: 2 Games, 14.5 PPG, 41.7 3PT %, 55 FG %, 29 Minutes played.
Statistics at HOME this season: 12.2 PPG, 39.6 3PT %, 49.7 FG %, 28 Minutes played.
Stay tuned for more odds, stats, and predictions for tomorrow’s game.
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Sara Jane is a full-time Content Creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and Writer of Ballislife.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter/YouTube/Twitch/Instagram: @GGirlSports.
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