NBA Finals Game 1: Lakers vs. Heat Odds, Picks and Prop Bets

After almost a full season of play, months off due to the coronavirus pandemic, a restart in the Disney bubble, and three rounds of playoffs, the 2020 NBA Finals are finally here. The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the favorites to make it this far all season long, but the Miami Heat are on a surprising run.

The Lakers are the favorite in the series and in Game 1, but people have been counting out the Heat all season long. Although they don’t like to call themselves underdogs, they have no problem proving people wrong.

Lakers – Heat Game 1 Odds

The Lakers are -4.5 on the spread going into Game 1 and -180 on the moneyline. The moneyline odds imply that Los Angeles has approximately a 65% chance of winning Game 1. The Lakers opened at -5 and -200 on the moneyline, but these odds are shifting towards Miami as we inch closer to tip-off.

There are a few different numbers for total points. You can grab the over as low as 217.5 and the under as high as 218.5 depending on what sportsbook you are using.

NBA Finals Game 1 Prop Bets

There are plenty of prop bets for NBA bettors to choose from for Game 1 of these NBA Finals. Here are some of our favorites from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Player Points

Player points are the most cut-and-dry prop bet out there, but it’s also one of the most fun ones. The odds on the over for LeBron James and Anthony Davis are enticing, but the chances of both players hitting the over seem slim so choose wisely.

However, the number we like the most here is Goran Dragic over 18.5. In Game 1s of these playoffs, Dragic is averaging 26.7 points per game and he’s hit at least 20 points each time. Although Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are Miami’s two best players, Dragic is one of the guys they lean on for clutch buckets.

James and Davis are going to be tasked with guarding Butler and Adebayo. The Lakers have solid defenders who can check Dragic, but we expect him to hit that over in Game 1.

Pick: Goran Dragic over 18.5 points.

Three-Pointers

Again, we like Goran Dragic to hit the over here, especially at +140 odds. However, if you are looking to diversify your prop bets, the over on Danny Green is the play.

Green has hit two or more threes in nine of 15 playoff games in the bubble. It’s also worth pointing out that the big stage of the NBA Finals doesn’t seem to phase the steely veteran. He is seventh all-time in NBA Finals three-pointers.

Pick: Green over 1.5 threes.

Points, Rebounds, Assists

We love Jimmy Butler at this number. You never know what kind of game you’re going to get with Butler, but he’s going to contribute in some way or another. Whether it’s shouldering the scoring load, facilitating for his teammates, are scooping up rebounds, Butler is always involved in the action.

Look for Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to rely heavily on Butler and play him 40+ minutes. That means he’ll have ample opportunities to fill up the stat sheet. Going against LeBron James won’t be a walk in the park, but we expect Butler to put his best foot forward.

Pick: Jimmy Butler over 31.5 points, rebounds, assists.