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2023 NBA Finals: Schedule, how to watch and other FAQ – ESPN
The 2023 NBA Finals are here!
In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets completed an impressive four-game sweep of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. This is the first Finals trip for Denver.
The Miami Heat prevented being on the wrong side of history — no NBA team has ever blown a 3-0 series lead — topping the Boston Celtics in Game 7 following three straight Celtics wins to tie the series.
The Finals continue Monday with Game 5 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Here’s what you need to know about the NBA’s championship round, including full schedules, how to watch and title odds and predictions.
MORE: Full playoff schedule and news
The Finals, like all four rounds of the NBA playoffs, are a best-of-seven series, as has been the case since 2003. The Finals feature a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 and the other team hosting Games 3, 4 and 6.
Game 1: Nuggets 104, Heat 93
Game 2: Heat 111, Nuggets 108
Game 3: Nuggets 109, Heat 94
Game 4: Nuggets 108, Heat 95
Game 5: Monday at Denver, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 6*: Thursday at Miami, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 7*: Sunday, June 18 at Denver, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
*if necessary
All NBA Finals games will air on ABC and ESPN Radio.
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Here is a look at the Finals matchup, followed by which team holds home-court advantage:
The Denver Nuggets entered the Finals with home-court advantage over the Miami Heat. Denver, after falling in Game 2, regained the advantage after a Game 3 win in Miami.
Final 2022-23 NBA regular-season standings
Here is a look at how the Nuggets and Heat have fared in past trips to the Finals:
The Nuggets have reached their first Finals.
The Heat have reached their seventh Finals, with three wins — the most recent coming in 2013.
Here are the latest odds for NBA champion, according to Caesars Sportsbook (odds as of June 9):
Denver -10000
Miami +2000
