Sports
2023 NBA Finals: Schedule, how to watch and other FAQ – ESPN.co.uk
You have reached ESPN’s UK edition. Stay on current site or go to US version.
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.
Get ESPN+ today!
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
